Battle of Trickum County

An egotistical lion tamer named Apollo joins the circus and brings along a trainload full of trouble in Battle of Trickum County, the third book in Kersten Hamilton’s Caleb Pascal and the Peculiar People series. First the circus calliope nearly explodes. Then an unscrupulous rival circus tries sabotage the show. Plus, divisive tension rises between the performers, forcing circus members to choose sides. However, all those misfortunes pale in comparison to the final disaster. Only Caleb, an orphaned boy recently adopted by Guillaume the clown, and his midget friend Thaddeus suspect that something even more terrible is coming. It’s up to Caleb to follow God’s leading, confront evil face-to-face, and perhaps save a few lives. Throughout the adventure, Guillaume continues to gently guide Caleb in his new-found faith while the circus freaks prove they aren’t nearly as freakish as they look.

What I Like: Like the two previous books, I didn’t want to put this one down! The characters are refreshingly complex, believable, and moving. The story was well written and had so much emotional depth that, without being preachy, it seamlessly and powerfully wove faith lessons right into the heart of the story. In addition, Hamilton anchored a verse of Scripture at the beginning of each chapter. I believe this series will help kids understand God as our heavenly father.

What I Dislike: Nothing. I loved the whole thing. However, be aware that the villains in this book might be a bit creepy or frightening for younger readers. Also, this is not a dislike, but a comment: There are four books in the series. Because of the way the stories unfold, it is best to read them IN ORDER. If you read them out of order, you’ll miss the full and dramatic impact.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9-12

Publisher Info: Standard Publishing, 2007; ISBN:978-078-4719107; Paperback $7.99.

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $7.99.

Special info: Visit Kersten Hamilton's web site. Read other CCBR reviews of books by this author.

Captured in Columbia: The Parker Twins Series

Jeanette Windle's Parker Twins series takes siblings Justin and Jenny on adventures all over the world. In volume three, Captured in Colombia, the twins learn the true meanings of friendship and forgiveness, as they experience tourism and a guerrilla camp in Colombia.

When Uncle Pete asks Jenny and Justin to tag along with him on a business trip to South America, he never dreams he will be putting them in danger. But, his position as an executive for an oil company makes him and his young charges a perfect target. Just before Pete and the twins arrive in Colombia, two guerillas were arrested for trying to bomb a pipeline. The American Embassy decides they had better keep tabs on Jenny and Justin, and their uncle, in case of retaliation.

Jenny and Justin are placed in the care of Steve, a Marine stationed at the Embassy. He takes the children sightseeing, to keep them busy. Jenny and Justin learn lots of interesting facts sightseeing, but Justin can't help being fascinated by the beautiful Colombian girl who keeps showing up. Justin is sure she needs a friend, but Jenny is put off by her volatile, antagonistic attitude. However, Justin makes her acquaintance, and soon Estrella is confiding in the twins. The twins are confused by her mixed messages, as she seems bitter towards Americans, but claims to want to help. Soon, Uncle Pete is kidnapped and it looks like Estrella may be partly to blame. Quickly, she offers to help the twins find him, as long as they promise not to tell anyone.

Before long, the twins, Steve and Uncle Pete are tied up on the side of a volcano set to erupt any day. It looks like Estrella has betrayed them, and Justin and Jenny must figure out not only how to survive, but how to forgive.

What I Like: I like Justin and Jenny. They are fresh, pleasant, but not completely perfect characters. Many teens will relate to their enthusiasm, taste for adventure, and confusion. They can't quite figure Estrella out, and sometimes their hopes get the best of their judgment. They are also a believable brother-sister pair. They love each other and enjoy each others' company, but they argue as well. It is nice to see realistic arguments ending in understanding instead of name-calling or violence.

I also like Windle's realistic portrayal of Colombia. The back of the book states, "Windle has spent most of her life in South America. . . ." Her background lends authenticity to this fast-paced adventure. I never realized there were so many places I would like to visit in Columbia.

What I Dislike: Some parts of the plot were a little hard to believe, and others were a little predictable, but I don't think many young readers will mind.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Kregel Publications, 2002; ISBN: 9-780825-441479; Paperback, $

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.49

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Special Info: This book was previously published as Adventures in South America in 1994.

Isle of Fire

It’s unusual to think of pirate adventure stories and Christian literature being in the same category, but Wayne Thomas Batson has managed to combine the two successfully into an action-packed adventure in Isle of Fire. This story is the sequel to Isle of Swords at the end of which Cat Thorne loses his memory and nearly loses his life.

In this new tale, Cat slowly regains his memory as bits and pieces of his past come back to him. With horror he realizes who he is and who his father is. His father is Bartholomew Thorne, a notorious pirate who nearly killed his own son.

But Cat is befriended by the monks of Monasterio de Michael Arcangel, who are not only servants of God but ferocious soldiers in the fight for truth and justice. They tell him that he doesn’t have to be like his father. Father Brun believes Cat’s life has been spared and he has been delivered to the monastery in order to carry out a divine mission. The monks want him to lead their fleet when they set out to destroy the forces of evil.

Cat wants to put the past behind him and bring his father to justice but he’s terrified he is destined to continue on his father’s legacy, one of murder and mayhem. Bartholomew Thorne is believed to be dead, but he resurfaces. He not only wants to seek revenge on the British Empire, he captures his son and wants Cat to join him in his quest. Will Cat be able to resist his father or will he conquer his past and his father’s evil?

The story involves a whole cast of colorful characters: Cat and Bartholomew Thorne, the brethren of the monastary, a colony of Vikings, Cutlass Jack, Declan Ross, Red Eye, Edmund Scully, Commodore Blake and many, many others. The author includes a list of “Principal Cast” members to help the reader keep everyone straight. He also includes a drawing of a typical pirate ship complete with the parts labeled and their uses explained.

What I Like: Even though I hadn’t read the first book in this series, I was able to keep up with the storyline because the author provided enough background information to fill in the missing parts.

What I Dislike: My only complaint is that the pages of the book are blue. It doesn’t really make the book difficult to read, but it was a bit distracting, at least at first, to concentrate on the words and not the color of the pages. It’s not a big deal, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: Young adult.

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson Publishers,2009; ISBN: 9781400315123; Paperback, $9.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $7.99!

Or buy at Amazon.com $9.99.

Special Info: This is book two of the “Isle of Swords” adventures series. Read our reviews of other books by Wayne Thomas Batson. Visit the author’s website.

A Freaky Kind of Courage

A Freaky Kind of Courage, the second book in the Caleb Pascal and the Peculiar People series by Kersten Hamilton, picks up right where book one leaves off. Previously, an old circus clown named Guillaume spent all the money he had to pay Caleb’s debts and adopt Caleb as his own son. Now that Caleb is part of the circus, he must do his part. As Guillaume teaches Caleb how to care for the circus animals, he models exactly what a father should be---wise, patient, loving, and gentle. Little by little, Guillaume’s simple and sincere love transforms Caleb’s life. However, in order for Caleb to truly embrace his new life, he must learn to deal with his past failures, avoid the plotting of evil twins, and cope with ridicule from the ringmaster’s son. In addition, Caleb must come up with a plan to save the circus camels from Twin Nightshade, who wants to kill them, stuff them, and put them on display.

What I Like: My likes and dislikes are the same as for the first book in the series, so if you read my previous review, this will sound familiar. Like the first book, I didn’t want to put this one down. I grew even more attached to the complex, believable, and moving characters Hamilton created. The story was well written and had so much emotional depth that, without being preachy, it seamlessly and powerfully wove faith lessons right into the heart of the story. In addition, Hamilton anchored a verse of Scripture at the beginning of each chapter. I believe this series will help kids understand God as our heavenly father.

What I Dislike: Nothing. I loved the whole thing. However, be aware that the villains in this book might be a bit creepy or frightening for younger readers. Also, this is not a dislike, but a comment: There are four books in the series. Because of the way the stories unfold, it is best to read them IN ORDER. If you read them out of order, you’ll miss the full and dramatic impact.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9-12

Publisher Info: Standard Publishing, 2007; ISBN:978-078-4719091; Paperback $7.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $7.99.

Special info: Visit Kersten Hamilton's web site. Read CCBR reviews of other books by this author.

The Captive Princess

Some may know that Pocahontas saved John Smith's life. But did you know she was later captured by the English and converted to Christianity? In The Captive Princess, a fictionalized account of Pocahontas' young life written by Wendy Lawton, you get to experience the longing Pocahontas felt toward knowing the great Gitchee Manitou, or God.

Pocahontas is the favored daughter of the great Powhatan, chief of the Powhatan tribe. But when she and her half-brother and half-sister observe tassantassuk (outsiders) arriving on ships in Chesapeake Bay, she is the only one of her tribe who is more curious than wary. All the while, she feels a stirring in her heart that there is more out there spiritually, and longs to learn more about this stirring.

When John Smith, one of the men she's observed during her many reconnaissance missions with her half-brother, is captured and brought to Powhatan, she fears he is about to be killed, and rushes in to save his life. In sparing his life, he becomes a "son" to Powhatan, and Pocahontas is allowed to teach Smith about their way of life, and subsequently learn about the English and their language.

Chief Powhatan proves to be unreliable to the English, demanding more and more despite the English's reluctance to trade guns for much needed food. When Pocahontas learns an ambush is planned, she tells Smith of her father's plans and manages to save the English again.

Several years later, the Powhatan tribe have moved away from the "traitorous" English when Pocahontas is tricked into becoming a captive on an English vessel. She's taken to Jamestown, where her father refuses to pay the full ransom for her life. It's as a captive with the English that she meets the minister of the fledgling village and is finally able to learn of Gitchee Manitou/Jesus.

What I Like: The way Ms. Lawton shapes Pocahontas really brings to life the historical figure. She seems like a real, live girl this way, which is refreshing.

I also liked the fact that the author incorporated some of the known Powhatan words, and gave a glossary in the back with meanings, as well as a list of characters, noting which characters are fictional and which are real.

What I Dislike: This may be a misconception on my part, but in one of the early chapters, Pocahontas watched some of the boys in her tribe capture and torture an raccoon. She admonishes them, stating that "a brave hunter kills his prey swiftly and painlessly. And he only takes what he needs to feed his people." The last part of the admonition seemed contradictory to things I know of other tribes, where they are to use the whole animal, not just the meat, for tools and clothing as well as food.

Also, while this is a book that's supposed to share a story of conversion, I found the "Gitchee Manitou" part of the story a little thin, and the conversion part at the end abrupt - even forced.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: 8 - 12

Publisher Info: Moody Publishers, 2008; ISBN: 978-0-8024-7640-1; Paperback $6.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.49
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Special Info: This book is part of the 'Daughters of the Faith' Series by Wendy Lawton. You can find other titles we've reviewed here.

Natalie and the Downside-Up Birthday

What happens if the mean girl in your kindergarten class does just about everything imaginable to ruin your birthday? That's what Dandi Daley Mackall's Natalie and the Downside-Up Birthday explores, much to the delight of preschoolers and kindergartens.

Natalie - spunky, lovable, and full of faults we can all relate to, is so excited her 6th birthday is coming up. Not only is she having a birthday party at home, but she gets to have a mini party in her kindergarten classroom. But then her teacher announces she has a "birthday buddy" - none other than "Sasha-the-not-so-nice," the brattiest kid in the classroom. Sasha seems to get everything a kid could want for her birthday: Her cupcakes for the class are bigger and better than Natalie's, and she also gives out huge napkins, toys, and cookies. Nobody wants Natalie's homemade cupcakes. And then Nat discovers Sasha's at-home birthday party is the same day and at the same time as her own. And everybody seems to want to go. There will be real ponies, a bouncy house, lunch at a pizza place with lots of games, and even bowling. Who'd want to go to Natalie's ordinary birthday party?

But in the end, Nat learns she has something Sasha doesn't have. Something much better than huge purple cupcakes or pony rides. She has friends and family - and a God - who loves her.

What I Like: My daughter, who is about to turn 5, loves the Natalie books, and with her birthday coming up, she could really relate to this tale. She felt sorry for Nat, cheered Nat on, and felt happy for her in the end. Mackall really has a lovable character here, and she does a terrific job covering topics young kids relate to.

My daughter and I also appreciate that these short chapter books (this one is 95 pages) are lightly illustrated throughout with black and white drawings by Lys Blakeslee.
What I Dislike: As with all the Natalie books, sometimes in an effort to capture the voice of the young heroine, the author uses poor grammar. This is a real pet peeve for me, and I correct it as I real aloud. For example, throughout, Nat calls another character her "bestest friend" and it's not uncommon to encounter sentences like this: "I wait for them to be waked up more." I do understand that kids in this age group often speak like this, but having poor grammar in a book only encourages them to continue speaking incorrectly.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 3 - 8, but I doubt many 8 year olds would want to read about kindergarteners.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 978-0310715696; paperback, $4.99

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $4.99. Or buy as a Kindle edition from Amazon for $3.99.

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $3.99.

Special Info: Check out our reviews of other books in this series. See also our reviews of other books by Dandi Daley Mackall.

Caleb, Son of None

If you enjoy well-crafted, compelling fiction stories with solid take-away values, check out the Caleb Pascal and the Peculiar People series by Kersten Hamilton. Set in the late 1880s, the series features a likable cast of characters and dynamic plots. The first book in the series, Caleb, Son of None, introduces us to a young boy named Caleb, an orphan who was thrown into the trash as a baby. Caleb longs for a father, and thinks his wish comes true when he is adopted and apprenticed to Mr. Groeger, the local tanner. He soon learns that although Mr. Groeger appears to be an upright citizen, he is a callus, uncaring, and abusive man. Miserable and whip-scarred, Caleb fears he will never have a father who loves him

And then the circus comes to town. Through a series of misunderstandings, Caleb ends up at the big top with Mr. Groeger’s money in his pockets. When Mr. Groeger, who was attending the show, discovers Caleb and tries to strike him, an old circus clown named Guillaume intervenes, allowing Caleb to escape.

Guillaume later finds Caleb hiding on the grounds and enlists his help to care for the circus animals. While under the clown’s care, Caleb experience a true sense of love and belonging…especially when Guillaume not only tells Caleb about “the papa”—or God—but shows him the papa’s love. But Caleb’s small taste of safety and joy abruptly ends when Mr. Groeger tracks him down and reclaims him. Caleb once more faces a life of servitude until, in a great act of sacrifice, the clown gives all that he has to free him.

What I Like: How refreshing…a Christian-based children’s fiction book that was so engaging, I didn’t want to put it down! And then I couldn’t wait to read the next book. Hamilton created complex, believable, and moving characters that I think both kids and their parents will adore. The story is so well written and has so much emotional depth that, without being preachy, it seamlessly and powerfully weaves faith lessons right into the heart of the story. In addition, Hamilton anchors a verse of Scripture at the beginning of each chapter. I think this is a perfect book to help kids understand God as our heavenly father. I had a happy feeling in my heart when I finished the last chapter.

What I Dislike: Nothing. I loved the whole thing. However, be aware that the villains in this book might be a bit creepy or frightening for younger readers. Also, this is not a dislike, but a comment: There are four books in the series. Because of the way the stories unfold, it is best to read them IN ORDER. If you read them out of order, you’ll miss the full and dramatic impact.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9-12

Publisher Info: Standard Publishing, 2007; ISBN: 978-0784718599; Paperback $7.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $7.99.

Special info: Visit Kersten Hamilton's web site.