Twelve Youthful Martyrs

by Esther E. Enock
Available from Keepers of the Faith and Amazon
****

I read this book aloud to my husband in the car, and we both marveled at the constancy which these martyrs held to the Lord Jesus. Most of the characters were under 20, and the sweet simplicity with which they refused to deny their Lord touched our hearts and made us wonder if we would be as faithful. We have the same wonderful Savior, and we may one day be called to suffer for His sake. These held Him precious, and as He had saved them and given them new life, they could not turn from Him, whatever the consequences. Their witness proclaimed that they knew Someone worth more than life, and that their lives would be far richer with Him than on this earth. The eternal glow of their lives and deaths puts so many things of this world into their proper perspectives.

This book was well researched, and the author gives detailed names, places and dates in these short accounts. Each story is just a couple pages, and the whole book only numbers 63 pages. Although this was obviously written for children, adults will also be glad to read the testimonies of these young martyrs who “loved not their lives unto death."

Tirzah

by Lucille Travis
Available from Amazon
***

Tirzah is a fictional young girl, an Israelite in Egyptian bondage. We follow her out of the hated Egypt, and see what the trek through the wilderness might have been to a young girl. She witnessed the plagues of Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, feared during the creation and rebellion of the golden calf and the giving of the law, and wondered what would happen when there was nothing to drink. She gathered manna, worried over the sickness from the many quail, and speculated – like a typical teen – about who the matchmakers would think to put together. Tirzah’s relations are involved in the common rebellions, and she hears their reasonings and justifications for their positions. The theme of racial prejudice is brought up concerning another young girl, an Egyptian maiden who turned to Yahweh and journeyed with the children of Israel. The final scenes of the book occur when the twelve spies have returned from Canaan. Because of the Israelites’ unbelief in Yahweh, they are cursed to wander 40 years in the wilderness until those who did not believe were dead. Tirzah struggles with fear and rebellion throughout the book, but by the end she comes to understand a little of the ways of Yahweh, and learns to hope in Him.

Obviously written to appeal to teens, I thought the characters could have displayed a little more maturity. Other than that, Travis has an easy reading style. This won’t be anyone’s favorite book of the year, but you might check it out for a perspective on what it might have been like for the Israelite children. It's interesting to read about the places and events in Exodus in a work of fiction, and many details from the Scriptures are woven throughout it.

Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter

by Cindy Neuschwander, Illustrated by Wayne Geehan
Available from Amazon
*****

Back in the days of Camelot, people knew geometry, but they learned it in adventures instead of textbooks. Per of Ameter played a game created by the Countess Areana in which they figured the outside edges and inner pieces of shapes made with the same size squares. Their skill at this game allowed them to solve several mysteries on the Isle of Immeter through a few escapes, as the island was protected by a sea dragon. Finally Per solved all the puzzles, and the sea dragon delivered a locked from the Countess Areana giving Per ownership of the island. When the two children returned from their adventure, Sir Cumference named the measurement of the outside edge of any flat, straight sided shape perimeter, after Per, who now was the Lady of Immeter. The inside of the shapes was called Area, after the Countess Areana who designed all the puzzles they solved. And so, as you will know if you have read this book, this is a cute, abbreviated account of the true way geometry really evolved.

A handy chart on the last page explains in mathematical terms the formulas described in the book.

Daughter of Liberty, A True Story of The American Revolution

by Robert Quackenbush
Available from Amazon
****

Wyn Mabie was a young wife, and lived with her aunt and her family. Her husband was away in the Continental Army, and Wyn often took horseback rides at night to work out some of her tension. One evening as she was returning from a ride, she met General Washington. As they spoke, he mentioned his concern for some strategic papers still hidden in his previous headquarters, now occupied by the British. Wyn volunteers to ride through the British lines, somehow make her way into the building, retrieve the papers, and return them to the general, a mission on which Nathan Hale had failed and lost his life. After prayer with her family, this courageous young woman sets out. The rest of the book follows her journey, and details some of her narrow escapes and painful determination, finally seeing her safely back with the papers.

This is the true account of a Dutch woman who made a dangerous journey to help General Washington and the Continental Army. Written for 3^rd graders, the 55 page book is easy to read and understand. The author, Robert Quackenbush, is proud to present this story, as it is part of his own family heritage.

Winning His Spurs, A Tale of the Crusades

Also published as The Boy Knight
by G. A. Henty
Available from Amazon and Vision Forum
*****

When this adventure begins, Cuthbert is a boy of fifteen living at home with his mother in Norman England. He hears information and is able to warn the outlaws living in the forest, among whom he has relatives, of an impending attack by the Earl of Evesham, who resents their killing his deer without permission. The forest men are reconciled to the Earl, however, when Cuthbert summons their help to rescue the Earl’s daughter from a kidnapping by a nearby vindictive Norman nobleman. After Cuthbert participates in the victorious siege of the latter’s castle, the Earl of Evesham, who is himself a distant relative of Cuthbert, promises to take him with him when he next rides off to battle.

Neither had any idea that they would be going off to battle so soon. King Richard the Lionhearted was gathering troops to set off on another crusade, and Cuthbert gets to go along, and be a party to major historic events. He witnesses the French and British rivalry, rescues a princess, wins a duel, fights the Moorish pirates, is knighted for saving King Richard’s life in a battle, escapes Saracen captivity, visits with a Dead Sea hermit, and returns to Europe with King Richard.

When the Earl of Evesham was mortally wounded, he begged the king that his estates, title and daughter would be granted to Cuthbert. After Cuthbert and his faithful men make their dangerous journey across the snowy Alps and hostile European cities with many narrow escapes, they find themselves rather unwelcome in England. There he leads a Robin Hood style life, and with Robin Hood, no less! They finally see that Cuthbert’s mother and fiancée are in safety, and Cuthbert goes with Blondel to discover the place of King Richard’s imprisonment, and arrange for his ransom.

This is one of the more exciting Henty adventures, and any lover of Robin Hood will certainly enjoy this tale. Cuthbert’s presence of mind and common sense, his loyalty, honesty, valor, and quick wits are all characteristics that make us and his authorities in the book admire and respect him. If it were a movie, you would find yourself holding your breath, but by the time you’re halfway through the book, you will be confident that Cuthbert can extricate himself and his friends from any kind of sticky situation. Plus, there is plenty of history and background included, from geography and the baron wars of England, to rivalries on the Crusades, to lifestyles of the Middle East. Find a comfortable seat and enjoy!

Alone in London

by Hesba Stretton
Available from Amazon
*****

Alone in London follows the lives of two people, and a third is intertwined with them. Mr. Oliver is an old man whose hasty words years ago had driven away his only surviving child. His health and faculties are deteriorating, but when he finds a precious little girl abandoned outside his shop, he is more than willing to take her in. When he finds the note in her pocket identifying her as his granddaughter, he is anxious to do what he can for her, and is delighted at the thought of being reconciled with his daughter.

Tony is an orphan who has been living wherever he can, and was captivated by Dolly, Mr. Oliver’s granddaughter, when he saw her outside the shop. Even though he had nothing of his own, he volunteered to take care of her if Mr. Oliver should refuse to take her. Mr. Oliver gave him a place to sleep under a counter in his tiny shop, and Tony came every day to see little Dolly. He noticed that Mr. Oliver’s eyesight and memory was failing, and he began to help him get his shop going in the morning, and remind him of necessary things. He especially liked to hear Mr. Oliver tell of his Master, the Lord Jesus. Tony had never heard of such a wonderful employer, and wondered if he could work for him sometime. When Mr. Oliver’s sister came to visit, she was appalled that her grandniece was associating with a barefoot beggar, and sent Tony away, and he was alone in London again. We follow his fortunes, and see the workings of his heart, all in the care of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The reader will be touched by the poignancy of the love these characters share for each other, and inspired by the simple devotion of Mr. Oliver to his Master. Hesba Stretton has written of similar situations and conditions to those of Charles Dickens, but while his works are dark and depressing, hers are serious, yet bright with hope. When Mr. Oliver takes his dying Dolly to the charity children’s hospital, and is told there is no room for her, he cries, “Dear Lord, there’s room for only seventy-five of Thy little lambs that are pining and wasting away in every dark street and alley like mine. Whatever can Thy people be thinking about? They’ve got their own dear little children, who are ill sometimes, spite of all their care. They can send for the doctor, and do all that’s possible, never looking at the money it costs. But when they are well again they never think of the poor little ones who are sick and dying, with nobody to help them or care for them as I care for this little one. Oh, Lord, Lord! Let my little love live! Yet Thou knows what is best, and Thou’lt do what is best. Thou loves her more than I do.”

A book for young and old, this will touch the reader’s heart, and may change his life.

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table

by Cindy Neuschwander
Illustrated by Wayne Geehan
Available from Amazon
****

This 32 page children’s book tells how Sir Cumference, his wife the Lady Di of Ameter, and their son Radius solve the problems of the king’s table. King Arthur and his knights needed to have a council, but there was a problem with the table around which they met. It began as too long; after that was fixed, the table had too few sides, and other tables produced more objections. Geo of Metry makes tables in several shapes before a round table solves all the problems. The illustrations are great, with medieval pageantry and geometric explanations. A few other characters from Camelot appear, such as Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain.

This is a great book to introduce geometry to the young, making it fun and easy. Shapes and measurements are explained in the quest for the perfect council table for the king and his knights. When the round table is finally found to be the perfect shape, the king names certain measurements after Sir Cumference, Radius, and the Lady Di from Ameter. Very cute!

Little Faith, The Child of the Toy Stall

by Mrs. O. F. Walton
Available from Amazon
*****

Little Faith lived and worked with a man she called her father. His wife had taken her in when her own mother died, and she had lived with them and helped their family until John Robinson’s wife died. Then his drunken mother in law, Mrs. Gubbins, came to “care” for the children, and she resented John’s providing for one who was not even his child, especially in their poor circumstances. But Mr. Robinson said that he and his wife had loved little Faith, and he was not going to turn her out. After Mrs. Gubbins complained again to him one night about Faith, she decided to leave; Mrs. Gubbins would be happier, and so would her dear father, for he would not have to be vexed by hearing complaints about her. She left that night, and tried to find someone who needed a servant, but there seemed to be nothing for her. She stepped into a church building to peer at her father through a window unseen. She was sad, lonely, cold and hungry, and she despaired of the Lord seeing to her needs or helping her in any way. Listening to the message afterwards, she fell asleep, but was startled awake by the words, “Little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” She thought Jesus and told the minister about her, and spoke to him afterwards, promising never to doubt Him again. She found that he had only been reading the words of Scripture, but he said that the Lord must have wanted to use that to get her attention. From there, little Faith’s world began to look brighter. She believed in God’s promises, and although everything did not immediately turn out, she trusted in His care.

This was such a sweet, tender little story, perfect for children and adults.

Venture and Valour

A collection of stories by different authors
Available from Lamplighter Publishing
*****

This book contains four very different stories by separate authors. Each story features individuals who display great courage to do what is right. There is a Scripture passage at the conclusion of each tale articulating the message the reader has just perused. The variety of the stories helps to illustrate the valor of the characters. Originally of British publication, some of the spellings, such as “valour” will be spelled the English way.

The first story is of an ordinary American railroad man who performs a heroic rescue.

The second is a legend of a princess in a far away country of which nothing but this record remains, as is often the case in legends. She was noble, and lived for her people after her father the king was killed. Although her father’s hateful murderer assumes the kingship and demands her marriage to him, the princess Sylvia surrenders her way of life and happiness by choosing not to escape his clutches. She understood it was right to live, and to find ways to strengthen her people. I cried at the happy ending.

The third tale is more of a mystery, told by a rather selfish man. This man witnesses the self-denial and vigilance of two people. These people had given up their own lives for one of much more difficulty and danger because of their love and respect.

The last account is of a chemist. His assistant had accidentally switched two people’s prescriptions, which was a matter of life and death. The poor chemist battles human indolence, a fierce storm on the sea, and his own limitations to set the matter right, and to save a life. He accomplishes this but only by giving the ultimate sacrifice.

These four stories of people whose lives demonstrate heroic bravery and sacrifice make this book an excellent little collection. The reading level is for teens and adults, although younger children would enjoy hearing it read aloud.

Rowland Bingham: Into Africa's Interior

by Janet & Geoffrey Benge
Available from Amazon
****

I was so inspired to read this biography! This man was the founder of the Sudan Interior Mission, and countless other projects. His life was devoted to serving the Lord and the Lord’s people, and reaching the lost for Christ. When he was burdened with a need, he didn’t bewail the fact that there was no group anywhere paying attention that he could associate with. He was a man of action, and when faced with a need, he found something to do about it. Living in comfort was not a priority to him, and change did not terrify him. His life was also characterized by determination, daring, sacrifice, and love for and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I think his life can be summarized in a paragraph from this biography. He was concerned for the countless men heading into World War II, and wanted a way to reach the unsaved soldiers and encourage the believing ones. The authors state: “The fact that it was yet another ministry that had no ongoing financial backing did not worry either of them [Rowland or his wife]. Rowland often told people that he did not have a great deal of faith, but that he had a little faith in a great God, and that great God would not let His causes fail.”

God is still the same God today. If He has place a burden in a particular area, and there is no existing solution visible, He can work through us to accomplish His purposes. I was so inspired by the life of Rowland Bingham to look around, and put my life to work where the Lord shows me I should, doubting nothing.

I encourage you to read this biography, and see the power of God in a man’s life.