Adventure Bible Book of Devotions

The NIV Adventure Bible is a #1 choice for young boys. This companion title -- Adventure Bible Book of Devotions -- can be used with or without its bestselling namesake. Perfect for independent use by 9-12-year-olds, it is also a wonderful choice for whole-family devotions.

Written by Robin Schmitt, this book features 365 one-page devotions organized by date. (There is no inclusion for leap year.) Each devotion offers a title, a quoted Scripture passage (usually one to three verses taken from the New International Version), and a short story. Below the story readers find a one-paragraph application note followed by one of three special features:

• Words to Treasure - This offers an extra Scripture passage for easy memorization.
• People in Bible Times - Here you'll find additional insight into Bible stories or contextual or cultural details related to the lesson.
• Did You Know? - Get bonus Bible facts here.
  
• Live It! - This section provides practical ideas for kids to put their faith in action.
  

For easy reference, the back of the book includes both a Topic Index and a Scripture Index.

What I Like: Both my kids -- 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son -- really like this book. The stories are very well-written and they tackle topics widely applicable. I really like the "People in Bible Times" sidebars. These always spark great conversations with my kids. These parts help them remember that people in the Bible really lived. I also appreciate the options for searching and sorting, as provided through the Table of Contents (by date) and the two indexes (by topic or Scripture passage). Great inclusion.

What I Dislike: Nothing, really. The "adventure" part, I felt, was not utilized to it's full potential, but that's not a deal-breaker. My kids expected maps and outdoor activities. I would have enjoyed more "treasure hunt" type stuff that encouraged research of Bible lands, times, ancient geography and the like. The stories told of lots of adventure, but the book offered little to no hands-on adventure.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 9-12 for independent use, but if you read it as a family, you could go as young as 5.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2008; ISBN: 0310714478; Paperback; 391 pages; $12.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99!

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Special Info: This title is now available as an e-book through Christianbook.com (released in 2010). You may also be interested in the "Early Readers" edition featuring the NIrV (New International Readers Version) Bible, available in paperback or as an e-book.