The Legend of the Sand Dollar

When young Kerry and older sister Margaret are sent to their Aunt Jane's house just before Easter, Kerry is unhappy since her parents aren't with her. Her cousin Jack, however, has a special surprise for her when he takes her out on his boat: He shares The Legend of the Sand Dollar with her.

Using a coin-like sand dollar found on the beach, Jack tells Kerry the Easter story. An Easter lily is on one side of the sand dollar, and there are four nail holes, plus a fifth made by the spear, reminding everyone Jesus died for us. Jack breaks open the sand dollar and white "doves" flutter down: a promise of new life.

With this new hope, Kerry isn't as lost without her parents, and is more than eager to share the good news with sister Margaret.

The Legend of the Sand Dollar is written by Chris Auer with illustrations by Rick Johnson.

What I Like: This story is simple reminder of Christ and I think most kids can grasp it with ease. Plus, if you live near the ocean, it's possible you could collect a tangible reminder your kids could have with them at all times and remind them of the story (and the poem it's based on, which is shared on the last page).

I also love the illustrations by Mr. Johnson. Several are worthy as works of art themselves!

What I Dislike: This is fairly minor, but the reason why Kerry's parents aren't with her and her sister is never explained. I wish it was.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz; 2005; ISBN: 978-0-310-70780-3; Hardback, 32 PGS., $16.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $4.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.55.
Or on your Kindle for $9.99.

Voyage with the Vikings (Imagination Station Book 1)

Those familiar with the Adventures in Odyssey radio program will recognize the "Imagination Station" as Mr. Whittaker's time traveling machine. It's this contraption that's the star of a new set of Odyssey spin-off books designed to offer a Christian alternative to the massively popular Magic Tree House books. Written by Marianne Hering (former editor of Focus on the Family's Clubhouse magazine) and Paul McCusker (writer and director of Adventures in Odyssey), the first book in the Imagination Station series is Voyage with the Vikings.

Everything about this book is closely modeled on the Magic Tree House series - from the plot line, to the two main characters, to the illustrations, to the cover and title. In this book, Mr. Whittaker sends young cousins Beth and Patrick on a mission to uncover secrets from a mysterious note left by someone named Albert who is about to be locked up in Lord Darkthorne's tower. The children don't know who Albert or Darkthorne are, but they are eager to go back into time to find the sunstone Albert apparently requires.

After dressing them in appropriate period attire, Mr. Whittaker sends the children back in time to the days of the Vikings in Greenland. Here, they meet the historical Eric the Red, and his Christian son, Leif. Eric wants to make them slaves, but Eric locks them safely in a small Christian church where Eric would never dare go. Wanting to complete his mission and find a sunstone, Patrick escapes and nearly gets killed by Vikings who think he's stealing. Leif rescues him and they make their way to a Viking party, where Eric's Christian wife protects the children from the pagan rituals - including sacrifices - there.

Thinking they are unable to complete their mission in time, and unable to find the Imagination Station, the children end up on a ship with Leif, headed to Norway. But when the children see Leif use a stone to navigate, they realize it's the sunstone they need. They make a trade with Leif and once the sunstone is in their possession, the red button to the Imagination Station appears. But not before Beth shows Leif a map of North America and the Viking decides to make his important historical sail there.

The children push the red button and give the sunstone to Mr. Whittaker - only to discover Albert needs them to travel to Rome. Are the kids game? You bet!

What I Like: My 5 year old, who loves Adventures in Odyssey, was delighted to have a book related to the radio series, and I love that this series tackles history with an emphasis on Christianity. Many parents will also be excited to know this book contains no magic, unlike the Magic Tree House books. I also really appreciated it when Patrick showed his faith by standing up to Eric. First, he apologizes for accidentally offending the famous Viking, but when Eric threatens to kill him anyway, Patrick reminds him there is only one God - and he prays silently for that God to help him.

What I Dislike: At one point, Patrick sees a large pot and compares it to a "witch's cauldron;" some parents may object to this phrasing. But mostly, I find it difficult not to compare this book to the Magic Tree House series, it's so closely modeled after it. This first book in the series, in my opinion, falls a bit short - mostly because it meanders. The Magic Tree House books are packed with action and most chapters end in such a way you just have to read more, but Voyage with the Vikings rarely has these qualities. The book is also longer - 108 pages of actual storyline - whereas most of the Magic Tree House books are about 80 pages. In addition, there are just 16 black and white illustrations; these illustrations by David Hohn are very good - but I do find the kids - especially Beth - way, way too thin. I also miss having factual historical information at the back of the book (some puzzles are included there instead).

Even so, however, this book is well done.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher 9 - 12, but my 5 year old loved it.

Publishing Info: Tydale, 2011; ISBN: 9978-1589976276; paperback, 128 pgs., $4.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $4.99

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $4.49

Special Info: Visit the Imagination Station website for an excerpt from Voyage with the Vikings.

Andrea Carter and the Family Secret

Andrea Carter and the Family Secret, written by Susan K. Marlow, is book number three in the publisher’s Circle C Adventures series. In this installment, Andrea learns she has an older sister, Katherine, whom she had never heard of. She has grown up with a large family of several siblings, all of whom are older than her, but when she finds out about Katherine she doesn’t welcome her with open arms.

Andrea feels she has been deceived by her family. All of them knew about Katherine except her. Andrea must deal with her resentment. In the process of doing so, she makes some bad decisions that almost end in disaster. But, she also finds an inner strength she never had.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-12.

Publisher Info: Kregel Publications, 2008; ISBN: 9780825433658; Paperback, 140 pages, $7.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $6.29!

Or buy at Amazon.com $7.99.

Special Info: Read our reviews of other books in the Circle C Adventures series.

Dragons of Starlight: Warrior

Warrior, the second book in Bryan Davis' series, Dragons of Starlight follows several story lines centered around the conflict between humans and the dragons who enslave them. Years ago, humans traveled through a portal from their own planet, Major Four, to Starlight, home of the dragons. Now, humans are desperate to return to Major Four, but the dragons are just as desperate to keep them enslaved.

As Jason and Koren travel to the Northlands to enlist the help of a (hopefully) benevolent white dragon and find Jason's family, Elyssa and Wallace are charged with rescuing the "cattle children" from their prison camp. Meanwhile, Randall and Tibalt are trying to return to Major Four, in order to assist with transporting humans through the portal. This is impossible, however, without the help of Arxad, the dragon high priest, who is sympathetic to the humans.

However, as each story unfolds, we face more and more obstacles. Koren, a powerful starlighter (a storyteller, similar to a seer or prophetess) allows herself to be captured and pressed into service of the newly-hatched dragon prince, hoping she can convince him to free humans. Jason must make his way through the white dragon's castle with the help of the spirit of Cassabrie, a deceased starlighter who longs for her spirit to be reunited with her body.

After Wallace and Elyssa free the cattle children, they must keep them alive in the forest, while evading dragons. Finally, Randall and Tibalt must decide who to trust, when Arxad unexpectedly arrives through the portal with his twin brother, the evil dragon king, Magnar.

As each character is tested almost beyond the limits of their endurance, we learn the planet Starlight is on the brink of destruction. The book leaves us wondering whether Koren can save the planet, or whether the Dragon Prince has something more sinister in mind.

What I Like: Davis employs an engaging balance between action and description. Warrior uses vivid word pictures to describe the wastelands of the North, the lair of the dragon prince, and the squalor of the cattle camps. The book is dark, fast-paced science fiction. It reminds me of an action-packed video game, where you move quickly between various settings and try to stay alive.

Although the books are published by Zondervan, the spiritual element is unclear. Neither allegorical nor moralistic, Warrior is more like Lord of the Rings--a good story promoting values such as courage, loyalty and honesty.

What I Dislike: As a reader new to the series,it was hard for me to keep up with all the story lines. Even when books are part of a series, they should be able to stand alone, but Warrior was too detailed and confusing to read without more background information.

Also, I couldn't figure out who I was supposed to like and be sympathetic towards. Davis' characters are all complex and wrestle with difficult decisions, but I didn't find myself caring what happened to them. Again, I may have felt differently had I started with the first book of the series.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Young Adult

Publisher Info: Zondervan, 2011; ISBN: 978-0-310-71837-6; Paperback, 421 pages, $9.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $7.99

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.99.

Special Info: Zena, an evil enchantress, uses Cassabrie's severed finger to gain power, and characters regularly speak with Cassabrie's spirit and other "ghosts" who inhabit the white dragon's castle.