Secrets of the Prince's Tomb (The Imagination Station #7)

Many parents appreciate the Imagination Station books as a Christian alternative to The Magic Treehouse series - and my daughter keeps asking me to buy the latest Imagination Station books. When we recently read #7 in the series, Secret of the Prince's Tomb, I was pleased to see the series is getting stronger.

In Secret of the Prince's Tomb, Patrick complains to Mr.Whittaker that he's a slave at school - and worse, kids are teasing him because of his belief in God. Mr. Whittaker tries not to laugh at Patrick's slave remark, then sends the boy and his cousin Beth on a trip in the time-traveling Imagination Station. The two children end up in an ancient Egyptian marketplace. When they bump into a young girl, they suddenly find themselves on the run from some big, burly men who turn out to be a sort of ancient police. The girl they bumped into, Tabitha, is being shoved out of her palatial home, along with the rest of her family. Her good friend, Lateef, is upset about this and orders the police to leave Tabitha alone - and the police listen. It turns out Lateef is prince; his father is the pharaoh.

Patrick and Beth accompany Lateef to the palace, where they refuse to give offerings to the Egyptian gods. Lateef isn't thrilled by this, but he admits his good friend Tabitha believes in only one God, too. The children soon learn why the pharaoh has ordered people like Tabitha, whom he calls "Habiru," into slavery. He feels they've become too numerous and will soon try to take over Egypt. There is no hope for Tabitha and her family; they will be slaves no matter what Lateef wishes.

Beth and Patrick try to save Tabitha, but only end up being arrested. Thankfully, Lateef frees them, warning them to stay away from the Habiru because he cannot free them if they end up in jail again. But Patrick and Beth feel lead to the place where Tabitha and her family now live - where they discover there is much talk of God forgetting the Habiru. Perhaps, someone suggests, if they had the body of their great, dead prince, they could retain hope.

The cousins, trying to help, break into the Valley of the Dead (where the tombs of the great leaders of Egypt lie), hoping to retrieve this prince's body. But then they realize: This prince the Habiru love is Joseph of the Old Testament - the Hebrew boy sold as a slave in Egypt, who later rose to second in command of that nation. In an "ah-ha" moment, the cousins realize the Habiru are the Hebrew of the Old Testament, and that they have traveled back in time to the days of Moses' birth. They remember that Moses brought Joseph's bones out of Egypt when God let set the Hebrews free from Egypt - so the cousins can't move Joseph's bones now.

As best they can, the cousins explain this to the Habiru, reminding them God hasn't forgotten them - just as he didn't forget Joseph when he was sold into slavery or spent years in prison. They leave in the Imagination Station and, once home, Patrick admits to Mr. Whittaker that his slavery comment was out of line - and that, even though he's being teased at school, God is with him.

What I Like: This book doesn't delve into the strange, mystical world of Egyptian religion, for which I'm thankful. We do get a taste of the mystery of the Egyptian world when the cousins break into the Valley of the Dead, however, traveling through a maze of tombs and hieroglyphics. It's just enough to keep the story interesting. The pace of the book is better than many of the Imagination Station books, and there are a number of cliff-hanging chapters that made my daughter cry, "Just one more chapter! Please???" And of course I love that there's an important lesson about God's presence in our lives, even when things seem to  go all wrong.

What I Dislike: David Hohn illustrates this series with black and white drawings. Normally I really like his work, but in this series, the children are disturbingly thin. However, this problem is less prominent in this book than in some others.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 7 to 10 or so (the Flesch-Kinkiad reading level is 2.3, but the book is a good read-to-me title for children not yet in that reading level)

Publishing Info: Tyndale; 2011; ISBN: 978-1589976733; paperback, 128 pgs., $4.99.

Special Info: This book easily stands alone from the series; your child doesn't need to have read other books in the series to understand and enjoy this one. There is also a free family devotional, parent's page, and vocabulary list for this book on the Imagination Station website.

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A Perfect Pet for Peyton: A 5 Love Languages Discovery Book

It’s Penny and Peyton’s birthday. They are twins and are excited about celebrating their birthday together. They are having their birthday party at the Perfect Pet Emporium, which is like “a zoo, a museum, a theme park, and a birthday party palace all in one place,” in other words, the perfect place for a birthday party. Three of their friends have been invited to join them for the party

The twins and their friends spend a great day exploring the facility. After pizza and cake have been served and eaten, each of the friends get to take home a “perfect pet”. The pet is chosen by Mr. Chapman, who uses each child’s “love language” to pick the perfect pet for them. There are five love languages: Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Physical Touch, and Acts of Service.

Mr. Chapman explains: “Each of us especially likes to love and be loved in one or two of these languages; some love kind words, others like touch. Some enjoy spending special time with people. Others love gifts and some like to do nice and helpful things. We all need to love people in every way. However, God made us each special and we all love a little differently. Pets do some things naturally that can kind of match our Love Language. When we find one that matches yours, that’s a perfect pet pal.”

A Perfect Pet for Peyton: A 5 Love Languages Discovery Book, was co-written by Rick Osborne and Gary Chapman. The authors included a couple of extra items in the book. Each large picture contains at least hidden insect. This is mentioned on the first page so readers will know to look for the hidden insects on subsequent pages. Also, there are instructions in each successive illustration to look for various other things, such as different types of birds. The authors also include a section at the back of the book with questions for children to help them determine their own particular “love language”.

The illustrations by Wilson Williams Jr. are truly delightful. They are bold, colorful, expressive and detailed. The addition of hidden objects in them makes them even more appealing.

What I Like: The illustrations. They are great. I also like the "love languages". It's a concept I had never heard of before.

What I Dislike: I realize one reason this book would be appealing to children is because of the thoughtful way Mr. Chapman figures out each child’s “perfect pet”. One of the twins’ friends is given a Capuchin Monkey as her perfect pet. I don’t think it’s wise to suggest that a Capuchin Monkey would make a perfect pet for a child, even if that particular animal does match the “love language” of the recipient.

Also, some of the insects are hidden quite well in the illustrations and might be difficult to find. There is no guide at the end of the book to tell you where any particular insect is hidden if you can’t find it.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 8-12.

Publisher Info: Northfield Publishing, 2012; ISBN: 9780802403582; Hardcover, 64 pages, $11.49.

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Special Info: Visit Rick Osborne’s website. Visit GaryChapman’s website. Visit the illustrator’swebsite. Read our reviews of other bookswritten by Rick Osborne.

Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks: Confessions of April Grace

Alternately funny, touching, and suspenseful K.D. McCrite's, Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks:  The Confessions of April Grace will resonate with tween girls stuck in those awkward, middle school years. The second book in the series finds an eleven-year-old April Grace beginning middle school and wishing family friends would move out of her house, so she could have her room back.

To make matters worse, April Grace can't figure out why her mom is acting impatient and keeping secrets. She also can't understand why a good friend from last year is deliberately snubbing her, why a boy in her class keeps paying her unwanted compliments, or why her grandma in interested in three different gentlemen.

When it becomes clear April's mother will be unable to direct the annual Christmas pageant, April suggests allowing family friend Isabel St. James to try her hand at directing. Unfortunately, Isabel is bossy, critical of small-town life, and doesn't attend church.  Nevertheless, the pastor decides to let Isabel direct the play, providing April will help.

Plot Spoilers Ahead:  Isabel and her husband are surprised when the townspeople help them fix up their house, and bless them with a house-warming party, despite Isabel's difficult personality. With April in the spotlight and Isabel directing, the play is a success, although reminiscent of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. After a medical scare, April's mother delivers her own Christmas surprise, much to April's unexpected delight.

What I Like:  April Grace is funny, spunky and authentic, as a tween trying to fit in at middle school, get along with her sister and avoid her grandma's boyfriends. Even though she rolls her eyes at Isabel and doesn't really want to be in the play, she can't help enjoying acting.  I like the way April worries about her mom but trusts her dad when he tells her everything will be alright. April's positive character shines through when she tries to think of ways to help her mom, even though she dreads change.

I also like the way April loves her grandma, even though she doesn't approve of her grandma dating. 

Although the book is often funny, McCrite's serious scenes are quite touching. 
 
What I Dislike:  I am not sure why McCrite chose to set the book in 1986. Although I appreciated her references to Miami Vice, Madonna, and Buick LeSabres, it seems they would be lost on today's tween audience.

April Grace's voice is replete with Southern vernacular and references, which sometimes sounds authentic, but sometimes sounds forced.

As always, I dislike book covers with photographs.  The cover model is adorable, but it is easier to imagine yourself as a part of a story without having to compare yourself to a photograph.
 
Overall Rating:  Very good, despite minor dislikes.

Age Appeal:  8-12

Publisher Info: Tommy Nelson, 2011; ISBN:978-1-4003-1826-1 ; Paperback, 282 pages, $9.99

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Silent Sally

For a lesson about helping others and being a DOER (not just hearing/talking about what God wants us to do but actually DOING it), check out Eric Wall’s book Silent Sally.

The rhyming book follows Sally as she spots classmates and neighbors in need and then steps up to assist them. Her peers think she is odd until they start to realize that her actions make a positive impact on the world. Yet even though they note her kindness, they still they continue to goof off in class, break the rules in the lunchroom, and trash the playground. Meanwhile Sally, ever vigilant, quietly stands alone as a model student.

Eventually, the teaching staff notices Sally’s efforts and the school decides to hold a celebration in her honor. Everyone is surprised when Sally doesn’t turn up to claim her award, and are amazed to find out she didn’t show up because she was out helping yet another person in need.

“Now they all were amazed/ Silenced as they heard the way/ Sally had missed the party to help yet another./ They were finally understanding/ The example Sally was setting,/ As they all began to discuss it with each other.”

So inspired is he by Sally’s selfless example, the principal declares a holiday, and the whole school goes out to do kind deeds in their community.

Special Note: Eric wall has contributed his artistic talents to several feature films, including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Bolt, and more. Silent Sally is his second children’s book; his first is an adorable-looking book called The Harbor Light

What I Like: The story has a good lesson about being sensitive to those in need around us, and about how even the very smallest acts of kindness can make a very big difference. Through Sally, readers are provided with several simple ideas to help others—picking up trash, putting away toys, sharing a snack, caring for the class pet, and more. Even young readers will get that AHA moment when they realize that Sally does things that they can easily do as well. The artwork was cute and cartoonish, which will make it appeal to younger readers.

What I Dislike: The poetic meter was awkward at best, making the story very difficult to read out loud. Some of the rhyming matches were a stretch as well. I think it would have been much more palatable (and crisper) story if it were written in prose instead. Also, I thought it unrealistic to portray every other kid breaking rules or goofing off, for the school to throw a party because Sally helps a teacher to her feet and walks her to the office to rest, and for the principal to call a holiday.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: None is given. I think it's best suited for the K-1 crowd. The text is too long for preschoolers.

Publisher Info: Horizon Light Media, 2012; ISBN:978-0984683307; Hardcover, 32 pgs., $14.99
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