The Black Pearl

by Scott O'Dell
Available from Amazon
***

Some of Scott O’Dell’s works are great, some are standard, and some are not worth the time. I was disappointed in this one. The plot is okay I guess, but it seems to lack anything very substantial, and is full of superstition. It tells the story of a son who goes into the pearl business with his father in La Paz, California. Nettled by the boasts of an employee, a pearl diver, he believes if he can find a pearl of gigantic proportions, he will be a man. In his father’s absence, Ramon abandons his responsibilities, and convinces an Indian man who has sold them pearls to teach him to dive for them. He learns to search for pearls, but the Indian warns him away from a certain cave, where he believes the Manta Diabla resides. He tells Ramon that the pearls in that cave are the Manta Diabla’s, and if anyone takes them, the Manta will pursue him until the pearl is returned. The Manta has spies all around who report to him the happenings when he is away. Ramon hunts in the cave anyway, believing the tale to be merely an old Indian legend. He finds an enormous black pearl, the size of a grapefruit, which has only a slight flaw, easily removed. The Indian counsels Ramon to return the pearl to the Manta Diabla, but scorning the tale, Ramon takes the pearl home. His father wanted to sell the pearl to one of the other pearl dealers in the town, but they were not willing to give him the sum he required, so he presented it to the virgin Mary image. Trusting in her to protect them after such a fine gift, Ramon’s father sailed into the teeth of a violent storm, and his entire fleet was lost, with the exception of the Sevillano, the young man whose boasts had prompted Ramon’s pearl discovery. The Indian insists that the storm was brought on by the Manta Diabla who wants his pearl back, and Ramon now believes him. He steals the pearl back with the intent to return it to the manta, but the Sevillano, armed with a knife, comes to steal it from him, intending to make his own fortune. Ramon is compelled at knife point to paddle the boat to the city where the Sevillano will sell the pearl, but the manta follows them, to recover his pearl, as Ramon is convinced. The Sevillano laughs at his fears, and tells him why his father’s fleet was lost. The manta does attack them, and the Sevillano harpoons it, and ends accidentally strapped to the manta when he dives his last. Ramon stays in the area for a while to see if the Sevillano, who was known for his long dives, would reappear. When he does not, Ramon returns to the city and gives the pearl back to the Mary image, believing that she has protected him from the Sevillano and the Manta Diabla. He feels content that he has finally become a man.

Me? Obey Him?

by Elizabeth Rice Handford
Available from John R. Rice and Amazon
*****

This is a discussion of the obedience of the Christian wife. The first chapter explores the reasons God commanded it, and then the book goes on to cover the Scriptures that direct wives to submit, and what they mean. Biblical examples are given, and questions about rights and tyrannical authority are answered. Basically, the author shows that God expects the wife to always obey her husband. She understands that sometimes husbands request or require things contrary to the Word of God, and in that case, disobedience is necessary. However, she says that she has never seen a husband being abusive or insisting that the wife sin when the wife has been in submission with a sweet spirit. Just because she has never seen it, of course, doesn’t mean it doesn’t occur, but she says that usually the spirit of a truly submissive wife will provoke tenderness in her husband. After all, Handford’s audience is not primarily those in arranged marriages, but those who entered marriage voluntarily, as did their husbands. She shows from Biblical directives and examples that no matter the husband’s character, we are to respect and submit to him. If it is not his virtues (as most are sinners), we are at least to honor his position as husband and head of the home. But then on the other hand, this should not be too hard, as most of us at least entered marriage with love for our husbands.

My mother gave me this book a few months before I was married, and I thought it was very helpful. I already wanted to bless and honor my husband, but this book reinforced the Scriptures, and I think it was good for me to remember to keep the right attitude toward the Lord and my husband. I would definitely recommend the book to engaged women, new wives, or wives unsure of their position, or wives who simply want to review what God says about submission to their husbands.

Helen Lester

by Isabella Alden
Available from Keepers of the Faith
*****
Helen Lester was a young girl who was rather upset that her older brother was coming home after some years abroad. She remembered that he used to tease her for going to Sunday School, and wanting to be a Christian. When he arrived, she was surprised to find him changed: he was now a gentle, loving older brother who encouraged her in her relationship with God. Helen learns what it means to be a true Christian, and everyone is surprised at the change in her. One by one, through Cleveland’s example and witness, the other members of the family decide they must follow Jesus. Their changed lives affect those around them, who at first mock, but then joined them in their walk. By the time Cleveland leaves again, the whole family has asked Jesus to help them love God more.

This story was the first Mrs. Alden wrote, and that while yet in her teens, and it won the contest for the best story explaining salvation to children. Sometimes it seems almost too simple, almost stressing the works of the Christian. Only almost. However, Cleveland admonished Helen that on her own, she would keep failing as she had so many times before. If she wants to live the Christian life, and conquer her temper, and show patience to her family, and love God Whom she had never seen, she must ask Christ to help her. I would recommend this story to young children, as it does explain salvation, and I think it expresses the loveliness of Jesus so well. Who wouldn’t be drawn to Him? It is also great for those of us who want to share things simply with children. This story especially inspired me as an older sibling, to see the influence for good a caring sibling can have on the others. Cleveland did not spend his time preaching at his family, but they were drawn to Christ by his gentle example. And as far as preaching goes, Mrs. Alden’s stories never seem preachy. They do present plain truths, but they come in naturally, and the books always have an interesting plot and flow smoothly.

Black Star, Bright Dawn

by Scott O'Dell
Available from Amazon
*
The father of the Bright Dawn, the heroine of this story, is stranded on an ice floe while seal hunting. The sea becomes a terror to him, and they move from the Alaskan coast. He is asked to represent their new village in the Iditarod, and trains for it until an accident prevents his racing. Then Bright Dawn takes his place, with Black Star, her favorite dog, as her leader. No one from their town had ever finished the race. Bright Dawn runs into many hardships and dangers, but races well. She was the first to enter Iditarod, and also wins an award for taking care of other racers in trouble, even though it slowed her down. When she and her dogs are stranded on an ice floe, her father comes to the rescue. She finishes the race, becoming the first one from her village to do so.

Bright Star and her family are traditional Eskimos. There is plenty of Eskimo mythology and superstition throughout the book; Bright Dawn is portrayed as being true to her people when she relinquishes her skepticism (created by English influences) and decides to trust the old Eskimo gods, traditions, and talismans.

I thought the book was not one of O'Dell's better works. I was disappointed in the way he presented the Eskimos' beliefs, although I admire the way he portrayed their resourcefulness. I also thought the storyline was rather boring.

George Mueller: A Father to the Fatherless

by Rebecca Davis
Available from Amazon
*****
This biography is designed for 7 to 9 year olds, but younger children would enjoy hearing it read aloud. Each chapter can be read aloud or by a newer reader in less than fifteen minutes.

The book begins with the well-known incident of George Mueller’s father catching him with stolen tax money in his shoes, and goes on to tell of his years of thieving and living life for himself. We read of how he met the Lord at a Bible study while at school. What is really ironic is that he was studying for the Lutheran ministry, and others in his classes were just as unregenerate as he was. Next the book tells of his marriage, and his conviction that God would provide their needs, even though they committed to receiving no salary, and to tell their needs only to God. Further chapters show George’s burden for the orphans, and the development of the orphan homes. It is exciting to read of how George believed God would answer his prayers, and then to see Him do it, time after time. As the book progresses, we read of different children who came into the orphanages, their experiences there and how they changed their lives, how they knew George Mueller, and what happened when they left the homes. When his first wife died, George wrote in his journal that he missed her, but he was content in the Lord’s will. His second, younger wife went around the world with him as he spoke in different countries.

Rebecca Davis has written a great book as a biography. Younger children will enjoy reading it on their own, and it would also make for great discussions if read aloud in a family setting. I whole-heartedly recommend it!