Book Club: Book Review of See the Good

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

One of my more considerable challenges has been moving from being overly pessimistic to being optimistic. I have spent time working on gratitude journals and found those to be helpful in seeing the good in each day. Because of this challenge, I thought reading and reviewing See the Good: Find Grace, Gratitude, and Optimism in Every Day by Zach Windahl would be useful for my own personal journey. I was looking forward to reading See the Good because I do believe "perspective changes everything," as the back of the book reads. In the end, I do not think this book was the right fit for me, though.

About See the Good 

"After almost losing his mother to cancer and wrestling with his own faith, Zach Windahl learned to take whatever life threw at him and chose to be joyful." 

This inspirational paperback book is 234 pages long with twelve chapters and an appendix of 52 gratitude journal prompts. Windahl addresses his ideas in two parts: changing the way we see and how to live it out. In the first part, he discusses changes in technology, our roles on Earth, the differences between creation stories, celebrations, and what Jesus was really like (according to the author). In the second part, he offers several concrete examples through his own anecdotes. He shares several lighthearted stories in his quest to help you make changes in your personal life. 

While See the Good offers a few specific and direct quotes from the Bible, the author often just shares stories without direct quotes. One example he gives about how we can change our perspective is from the Old Testament. In this example, he demonstrates that the worth of God's people changed as He brought them out of Egypt. 

My Thoughts 

I shared earlier that I feel that this book was not right for me. I went into reading and reviewing See the Good with an open mind, but after a few pages, I found myself writing down things I did not like or I did not agree with. But first, let me share what I did like about See the Good: 

• The font choice and size made it very easy to read. 
• As someone with limited time, I found the layout of the book (chapters, subheadings, etc.) made it easy to pick and read. 
• Zach Windahl shares personal stories with no hesitation. By the end of the book, even if I didn't agree with him, I felt that I knew him and could speak with him in person. 
• If you are looking for a way to think about your perspective of the world, See the Good asks a lot of questions which get you thinking. 
• There are some clear, specific ways listed to help you change your perspective. 

My problems with See the Good revolve around references to individuals, sources, and popular topics in the news and world. I do not necessarily agree with the perspective offered by the author on each subject, and I find some of the sources are not credible. These are my personal opinions, so others may not have the same issues as I did.

There was also one instance where I was amazed at a word choice. From the book: "You can quote Bible verses all day, but if you have a crap creative story, it doesn't matter" (95). While I understand that 'crap' is not the worst word ever written or spoken, I was taken aback by its use in a Christian book. As I wouldn't want my children using it, I don't want it in a Christian book I am reading, either. 

Another point of difference is in regards to the author's perspective on pranks. He shares two pranks that he and his friends did when they were teenagers. I don't think pranks are very funny. They don't really fit into my sense of humor. The pranks mentioned were not really harmful, but I still don't think that Jesus would be laughing along with them, as the author suggested. Again, this all comes down to perspective.

In the end, did I find the book interesting and useful? Yes, See the Good made some good points. I think it would be helpful for other Christians who, while they need to look for more optimism, have a different outlook than me. I do believe that Windahl really wants his readers to change their perspective. As the back of the book states: "But choosing to put our focus on the good leads to profound benefits that come from seeing life as an amazing gift from the One who loves us best." Through the whole book, he directs us back to God and Jesus, and that is very important in any Christian inspirational book.

Book Club: Book Review of Where the Blue Sky Begins

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

I've been steering myself away from fiction – other than children's fiction – for a while now, except for historical fiction. Why? After my mom's death, I found that most modern-day fiction was too close for comfort. I decided to give Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner a chance, mostly based on the cover (which is quite lovely). Maybe I should have read the book description. This one definitely tugged at my heartstrings.

About The Book 

Eric Larson is sent to a rural Montana town, Tukston, by his uncle to work in his uncle's financial company. This is supposed to be the stepping stone for Eric's advancement within the company. Eric thinks he will work there during the summer and then be recalled to Seattle and the larger branch of the company. Of course, everything does not work out the way the confident and handsome Eric thought it would. Things move beyond his control after an accident. 

The second main character of Where the Blue Sky Begins is Eunice Parker. At forty-six years old, Eunice has given up on her dreams of becoming a veterinarian or animal rescuer as she comes to terms with a terminal illness. One of the things she has determined God wants her to do before she dies is to seek the forgiveness of several people. She created a bucket list of names and sought to meet with each of them.

Before Eunice can meet with those she wishes to, she is run off the road by Eric on her scooter. Through some good fortune and fast-talking, Eunice convinces Eric to drive her to her destination. These trips – both long and short – help a bond between the two form. As a native of Tukston, Eunice knows everyone in town, whereas Eric is a likable stranger.

Everything does always work out for Eunice as she seeks forgiveness, but through her attempts, Eric learns more about faith and God. He begins to change his outlook on his own goals with his uncle's financial company. Things change for both Eunice and Eric and those around them. 

My Thoughts 

The very first chapter of Where the Blue Sky Begins pulled me into the story. I wanted to know more about why Uncle Jack wanted his nephew Eric to see the town of Tukston. What was so intriguing about this small rural town? Who would Eric meet in the town? How would they change each other's lives? 

From Eunice's first appearance on her scooter, I didn't really think she would play much of an integral role. (I really need to start reading the book jackets.)  I am very glad that Eunice turned out to be Eric's next-door neighbor, and that she had the courage to ask him to help her accomplish the tasks on her bucket list. The friendship that developed between the two of them was a delight to read about – even with all its bumps.

The declining health of Eunice was difficult for me, as most illnesses and deaths have become over the months since my own mom died. I also find I get really attached to well-written characters, so I did not want to see Eunice's failing health or Eric having to cope with it. The author, Powner, did a fine job of handling these difficulties. 

One thing I realized after I started to write this review is that this book did not mention or incorporate the events of 2020. For that, I am very grateful. So many fiction books (and non-fiction books) that I have read published since 2020 have had to make mention of or incorporate the events into their book. It was so nice to read a book that didn't discuss masks, lockdowns, etc.

I really enjoyed Where the Blue Sky Begins. I would recommend the book to those who wish to read a good story that revolves around relationships strengthening and those who find themselves. We also see characters grow and develop into better people. Personally, I would love to see what happens to Eric. Does he stay in Tukston? And what about some of the other minor characters in the novel? How do they change after the end of the novel? 

Book Club: Book Review of The Bible Recap Discussion Guide

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

I have had the pleasure of reviewing several books by Tara-Leigh Cobble here at A Mom's Quest to Teach over the past several years. And I've enjoyed using the Bible reading plan that goes along with The Bible Recap for a couple of years now. So I was very excited to see a new book to help me dig deeper into the Bible and read God's Word. I've added The Bible Recap Discussion Guide to my new daily reading regime. 

About The Bible Recap Discussion Guide 

This lovely, green-covered paperback book is designed to help your Bible study group discuss the entire Bible with weekly questions. The fifty-two weeks of the year are spread out over 117 pages. Each week has eight to eleven questions for you and your group to discuss. Each week has specific questions for the Bible readings for those days, but there is one question repeated each week: "What is your favorite thing you read about God's character in your God Shots from this week?" 

While you could use many of the other resources that are part of The Bible Recap series, this discussion guide can be a stand-alone resource. The Journal and Study Guide would be helpful, but you can answer these questions verbally or in your own notebook. The only part where you would need something beyond this Discussion Guide is when you are asked about the "God Shot." As is explained at the beginning of the book, this term refers to the "snapshot" of God's character or attributes from that day's reading. It is explored further in The Bible Recap book and podcast. 

The table of contents lays out which books to read each day. You can read the entire Bible in one year, chronologically, using the table of contents or the other resources very easily. Or you and your group can pick a spot in the Old or New Testament to start and refer to the appropriate questions by referencing the table of contents. 

My Thoughts 

As I mentioned before, I have read and reviewed other works by Tara-Leigh Cobble. I have found the different books very helpful in more fully understanding the Bible. And I love that I can read the entire Bible in a year, chronologically. 

When I want to go further than my daily readings, I can pick up the Discussion Guide. These questions really help me focus on the different books of the Bible I am reading. For example, this week, I am reading Week 46, which contains the following readings: 

• Matthew 27; Mark 15
• Luke 23; John 18-19
• Matthew 28; Mark 16
• Luke 24; John 20-21
• Acts 1-3
• Acts 4-6
• Acts 7-8 

Some of the questions include: 

• Read Matthew 27:46 aloud. What do you think Jesus is communicating through this statement? 
• What new thing did you learn from the story of Jesus' resurrection in this week's reading, or what stood out the most to you? Why? 

I love questions that ask you think about what new thing you have learned. No matter how many times I have read through the entire Bible, I am always discovering something new. It is nice to have a reminder to stop and think about it frequently. 

I would recommend this book to those who wish to dig deeper into God's Word. It would be perfect for any Bible study group – large or small – or even just for a church leader to help direct them when asking their congregations questions.

Looking for more reviews of books by Tara-Leigh Cobble? Check out mine at A Mom's Quest to Teach. 

Book Club: Book Review of The God Shot by Tara-Leigh Cobble - "The God Shot is a high-quality, 216-page hardcover book with a ribbon for you to track your place."

Book Club: Book Review of The Bible Recap Journal - "The Bible Recap Journal is a 384-page paperback book where each day of the year has one page devoted to it." 

Book Club: Book Review of The Bible Recap Study Guide - "The Study Guide is very easy to navigate and to use." 

Book Club: Book Review of The Bible Recap - "While The Bible Recap is less scholarly and provides more of an overview of the Bible, I think I am going to thoroughly enjoy using it this coming year to read through the Bible chronologically." 

 

Crafts: Praying for our Leaders

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Loving, Learning, Living, and Leading are all important things to teach our children in a Biblical Worldview. How can we do these things in our own lives? How can we be purposeful in the way we love as God taught us? How can we focus on learning about God and His world? How do we live our lives according to the Bible? And how can we lead others as God would want us to?  Over the course of four days, The Canadian Schoolhouse's Virtual Family Retreat: A Purposeful Life has touched upon these four areas. The whole family has a place in this virtual retreat. There are special speakers addressing both homeschooling moms and dads, crafts for your children, devotions, giveaways, and more. 

I want to start with several questions... Who are our leaders? Who has come before us in the Bible? Where can we look for leadership? How can we be leaders? 

We may not answer all these questions in this post, but I would encourage you to think about them as you create your craft, as you pray for our leaders, and as you read your Bible. 

Today's craft is inspired by a quote from Hebrews. 

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." Hebrews 13:7

Remember those who serve as your leaders – those who lead your family, your church, your town, your province, and your nation. This verse in the New Testament helps us to remember the leaders of our church. And we can also remember the leaders of today.

Materials 

Today, we are going to make a simple craft that will help us to pray for our specific leaders. So, let's gather our materials! You will need two paper plates – the cheaper ones are perfect for this craft. You will need a pencil and markers (or you can use crayons or colored pencils). 

• Two paper plates
• Paper fastener 
• Pencil 
• Scissors
• Markers
• Notebook paper to list names 

Steps 

1. After you get your materials together, write down the names of the leaders who you want to include. Depending on where you live, you will be writing down the names of different people or even different titles. 

2. After you have your list of leaders, split your paper plate into three equal sections.

3. You will cut away one section for the top paper plate. Make sure when you cut away, you leave enough space around your paper fastener hole so it will not tear. 

4. Then, you will use your marker to make lines for each section. 

5. After the sections are divided, write the names of the leaders in the sections. You can add as much or as little decoration to your prayer plate as you want. Decorations can be complicated or just squiggly lines. 

6. Add on the top plate, "Today we pray for our church leaders and our ____________."

7. As you spin the prayer plate, you see the names you have written of your different leaders. Find a specific time during the day to pray for them.

What are the names of your leaders? Who can you pray for today?

Crafts: Purposeful Living – Bring a Light into Your Home

 

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I have been sharing crafts and activities that I designed and created for The Canadian Schoolhouse's Virtual Family Retreat: A Purposeful Life. If you are homeschooling, this is a wonderful virtual retreat for you! From devotionals focused upon the Bible verses that inspired these crafts and activities to special guest speakers, there is something for everyone. 

The focus of the retreat this year has been living a purposeful life. So, how can we be more purposeful in our lives? How can we remember that God will be there to guide us? 

Let's look at today's Bible Verse, and then I will share about two different crafts we can make to help us remember these things and the verse.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 ESV

Today, we can make two different versions of the same craft. We can make it so our craft looks like a light bulb or an oil lamp. 

Materials 

• Coffee Filter (two, if you are doing both versions of the craft) 
• Pencil
• Markers
• Spray bottle
• Scrap paper 
• Tape 
• Laminating supplies

You will need at least one coffee filter (two, if you want to make both versions of the craft), a pencil, markers, a spray bottle for water, scrap paper (the markers will bleed through the coffee filter), and – for displaying your artwork – tape.

Steps 

1. You can either sketch your picture using a pencil and then draw it with markers or you can go straight to the markers. I took inspiration for my light bulb from a piece of clip art online. You can be as creative as you want. 

2. I recommend you color the entire picture in because you want to make sure that there is plenty of ink from the markers for the final step in the craft project. 

You can use the traditional colors for the light bulb or pick out others that will complement the room where you will hang your sun catcher when you are finished. 

When I drew my oil lamp, I started with the markers. I wanted to leave enough room for the cup and the flame. 

At the top and bottom of my picture, I wrote out Psalm 119:105 along with the month and year. You could write out the entire Bible verse if you leave enough room. BUT...I recommend saving the writing for after you use the spray bottle. 

3. You want to spray the coffee filter with water from your spray bottle. The coffee filter should be wet but not soaking wet. Do this over a piece of scrap paper. The ink from the markers will run. You want to make sure you spray where you want the ink to spread but NOT where you don't want it to spread. 

4. After my pictures were dry, I was able to add a few more touches. When my oil lamp picture was done, I needed to add a few lines for definition. I simply used the same markers and drew the shape I wanted to see. I also tried to fix November 2022 but it didn't turn out as neat as I wanted. But that is okay...because crafting, art, etc. is not always perfect. It is all a learning experience. 

5. When you are done (and the coffee filters are dry), you can hang them in your window. 

If you want to make sure they last for years, you can laminate them. I've done that in the past with pumpkins and snowflakes we created, and they are so nice in our windows year after year. 

Depending on how much sun the window gets, your artwork may fade over time. But that is okay because you can make more! 

Where will you hang your finished artwork? 

Crafts: Wisdom Keepsake

 

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Are you looking to be more purposeful in your life? The Canadian Schoolhouse is hosting its second Virtual Family Retreat: A Purposeful Life. This virtual retreat is perfect for homeschoolers. Each day focuses upon a different aspect of living a purposeful life and features speakers, a devotion, crafts, and more. I was fortunate enough to design and create several different crafts for the retreat, including ones based upon learning. 

Where does wisdom come from? Do you consider yourself wise? One of the most important places to find wisdom is in the pages of the Bible. 

Each day of the retreat focuses upon a different quote from the Bible. The quote associated with "Purposeful Learning" is: 

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." Proverbs 1:5

Let's remember to look in the Bible for wisdom. We can also seek help when we need it from our grandparents and parents. They can guide us using the wisdom they have gained over their years as well as the wisdom they have gained from reading the Bible. 

Today, we will learn how to create a keepsake where we can keep the Bible verses from this week and others that will help us grow in wisdom. 

Let's gather our materials! 

This project will allow you to be really creative. You can use an old DVD or CD case, or you will create your own small book with the quotes you write down. If you are going to create the same keepsake as me, gather a piece of construction paper for the cover, a pencil, markers (or other supplies to help you decorate your cover), and notebook paper.

Materials 

• Construction paper 
• Empty DVD or CD case 
• Pencil
• Markers
• Notebook paper 

Steps 

1. Use the original cover of the DVD or CD to help you trace a piece from the construction paper for the case. Write on the 'binding' (or spine) your title. 

2. Write a title on the front and draw a picture on the front. What images or pictures come to mind when you think about wisdom? You and your children can draw your own picture or use clip art from online or cut out pictures from magazines. 

3. Don't forget to add artwork to the back. I drew a book and included at least two of the books from the Bible where I plan to pick my quotes from my book. I drew first in pencil and then added color with my markers. If you are creating a book from paper, you don't need to write on the spine. 

4. Take your notebook paper, and write out your quote. You may have to trim the notebook paper beforehand to make sure it fits in your case or the mini-book that you are creating. 

5. If you are using a DVD case, you can tuck the paper under the flaps.

6. Add to your quotes...I asked my children to each pick quotes from their homeschool curriculum to add underneath the one I have already written. You can keep adding quotes and pages all year long as you complete homeschool lessons or Bible studies. 

Crafts: God is Love Painting

 

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I had the pleasure of designing and creating several crafts for The Canadian Schoolhouse's Virtual Family Retreat: A Purposeful Life. This virtual family retreat is perfect for homeschoolers. The goal is to share about how to live a purposeful life so that you'll gain new insight into God’s plan for your family and your commitment to home education. And the best part? The whole family has a place in this retreat. There are special speakers addressing both homeschooling moms and dads, crafts for your children, and more. 

One of the most important things to remember is that God is Love. Our Father loves us and wants us to be with Him. So, how can we remind ourselves to be loving all the time? How can we be purposeful with our loving? Let's look at the focus quote from day one of the retreat from 1 John 4:7-8. 

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." 

Our children's youth program at church says: "Love God! Love Others! Nothing Else Matters!" While this is a very simplified look at what God calls us to do, it is one that is perfect for children. Everything that is important Biblically is tied up in loving God and loving others. If we don't love God, we won't know Him. We will struggle with loving others. 

Today, to help us remember God's love, we are going to create an art piece with paint, markers, painter's tape, and more! So, let's get our materials! 

Materials 

• Washable paint 
• Paintbrushes (wider bristle brushes work better) 
• Painter's Tape
• Paper (thick enough for painting) 

Steps 

1. After you get your paper, you will need to create the words using the Painter's Tape. You can make the words as small or as big as you want. They just need to fit on the page. If you are letting your children form the words, remind them to take their time as they shape the letters. You don't want white space to overlap the pieces of the tape. There are different ways to form the letters. So, don't be afraid to try different styles.

2. Next, paint over the letters. Paint all around them. You don't want to see the edges of the tape. Paint lightly on top of the letters. The harder you push on the letters with the paintbrush, the more difficult it will be to lift the tape. You can paint the whole page or just where the word is. 

3. Use any color you want. Just maybe not blue, because it does make it hard to see where the paint begins when you need to peel away the painter's tape.

4. When finished, the tape will leave a wonderful white space behind. Your words will really stand out! 

Where do you think you will hang your finished art piece? 

Book Club: Book Review of Giving Your Words

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

How do we guide our children to love and follow God? As parents, there are many questions we must answer and a multitude of decisions we must make in relation to our children. My husband and I would like our children to take our words as they relate to God and their beliefs in the Bible and Jesus as their Savior. In order to help parents like us, Sally and Clay Clarkson have written Giving Your Words: The Lifegiving Power of a Verbal Home for Family Faith Formation. 

About Giving Your Words 

This hardcover book of 254 pages is split into three sections and contains a number of resources to help your family on their faith journey. From personal stories of their faith journey with their own children to references to Scripture, parents will gain the words they need to pour into their children. 

But wait... the words of Giving Your Words are not meant to be poured into your children's heads but instead to start conversations to help your children build their faith. Through reading the book, you will be creating a verbal home. In ten chapters, you will read: 

• About words as described in Scripture 
• Examine the kinds of words to give to your children
• How to impart words to your children 
• About specific kinds of words to give your children 
• How to witness the truth of Scripture to your children 
• How to model your own lives 
• Examples of ceremonies and get-togethers to have with your children to impart words 

Some key points to remember when reading Giving Your Words: 

• Words are God's idea (from the very beginning of the Bible we read how important words are as God uses words to create the world) 
• As society changes, we need to be authentic and connect with our children as often as we can so we can build their faith 
• Love, grace, forgiveness, and more are very important 
• We need to show we are committed to our children

The Clarksons do not just provide you with ideas, they share how they applied their ideas to their own family over the years. For example, they provide examples as to how they conduct their family devotions after breakfast before they start their day. Their children even share in the epilogue how important their verbal home was to their upbringing. Sarah Clarkson shares, "Words were wielded in my childhood home with a kind of creative enhancement, used in the very way that God himself uses them throughout Scripture: to call things into being, to name, to order, and to bless" (218). What better way to see how effective the Clarksons methods are than reading the words of their grown children?

My Thoughts 

I don't believe I have read any books by the Clarksons before reading Giving Your Words. I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened this beautiful hardcover book. I knew that the Clarksons were well-loved by many of those in my social media circles. As a parent, I want the voices of my husband and me to shape our children. This is one of the many reasons why we homeschool. We want them to know and follow God. We want their faith to be firm.

I really appreciated how Giving Your Words was divided into smaller sections within its ten chapters. The format made it easier to fit the reading of the book in between homeschooling, working from home, and everything else. But I think the fact that I had to break up the reading of this book into many different sessions also made it more difficult for me to understand all the points presented by the Clarksons. 

I did underline quite a few key passages and took notes, but I think I need to read Giving Your Words again in order to fully appreciate the book. I would recommend the book to those who are looking to build their family's faith. I think you have read other works by Sally and Clay Clarkson, this would be a valuable addition to your library. 

Book Club: Book Review of Brave Quest: A Boy's Interactive Journey Into Manhood

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Raising children can be difficult. Add into that task all the messages that the world pushes onto our family, and our job as parents is even more complex and complicated. It can be even more difficult for fathers to usher their sons into manhood. Fathers and sons are met with a myriad of expectations that are not Biblical. So where can fathers turn for assistance? Dean Briggs presents a journal that will help boys on their quest to manhood. 

About the Book 

Brave Quest: A Boy's Interactive Journey Into Manhood by Dean Briggs is a journal that your son can make their own as they read the 50 entries. Each entry provides space for the boys to write answers to specific questions that will help them become a man. They are leaving behind their boyhood and must choose an easy life or a worthy life. 

The book is separated into eight sections: 

1. The Waypoint
2. The Cliffs of Cowardice
3. The Valley of Curves
4. The Hall of Shame
5. Adverse City 
6. Mount Transformation 
7. The Palace of Pleasure 
8. The Swamp 

Each day within these sections opens with a Bible quote that connects directly to that day's passage. The Questor, your son reading the book, must decide how he will answer questions that ask him to examine his decisions. 

Questions include: 

• Traits he looks for in close friends 
• What does your son find attractive and confusing about girls
• In what areas does your son fail the most
• How has your son handled challenges 

Warning to parents: Some days also discuss sex and physical attraction, but the book is trying to explain that sex is a gift for your son to give to his future wife. So, it would be a good idea to preview Brave Quest prior to handing it over to your son. 

Your son will also read about repentance, pride, adversity, rewards, endurance, and other topics as they move through the 50-day journal. He will remember times he was brave and write those in the book as well as what he is willing to stand for as right. The book closes with your son realizing everything was a dream, and he is ready to start his new life.

My thoughts 

I really think this is a well-thought-out book for young boys as they approach manhood. Since many boys do not like writing, I appreciated that the questions are direct with a short amount of space to write. Yes, they could want to write more, but I don't think your son will feel overwhelmed by the thought of writing in Brave Quest. 

The descriptions of the places and people remind me of Pilgrim's Progress. Your son will meet individuals who will help them and those who will try to slow them on their journey to manhood. There are paths to take and decisions to make that will help him move through the journal on the worthy path. 

In closing, I want to share one description with you so you can see how well-written Brave Quest by Dean Briggs is.

"Suddenly, the stream empties over a cliff, spilling into miles of empty air, turning into rain. You stand on a precipice overlooking a steep gorge, but dwarfed by the mountains that surround it—a needle of weathered stone that flattens and expands at the top to a base roughly even with your own height." (96) 

Book Club: Book Review of Britfield & The Return of the Prince

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Do you enjoy suspenseful fiction? Perhaps you are looking for a new series of books to read fall under action-adventure and juvenile fiction. In 2019, I reviewed the first in the Britfield series. This book was a hit with our oldest (who doesn't really enjoy reading). Last summer, I reviewed the second book, Britfield & The Rise of the Lion. And now I am sharing my thoughts about the third book — Britfield & The Return of the Prince.

Background Information 

In the first book, we meet Tom and Sarah as they escape from an orphanage, travel in a balloon, and move through different parts of England. Just like the second two books, Britfield & The Lost Crown is packed with action and adventure. There is intrigue and mystery as we discover that Tom is actually the Britfield heir and the Britfields are the rightful heirs to the English throne. 

Britfield & The Rise of the Lion is set in France. Again Tom and Sarah, along with the other characters who are attempting to help them (the members of the Resistance) face danger as they fight their way through the cities and countryside of France. 

The Plot of Britfield & The Return of the Prince 

During the second book, the Resistance releases information regarding the evil organization known as the Committee that is trying to maintain its power and control over the world. The Committee is trying to get a hold of Tom so they can maintain their control over the English throne. They do not hesitate to use force and violence to try and succeed. 

At the very beginning of Britfield & The Return of the Prince, we see Tom and Sarah learning and working alongside Fontaine at an elite school. All does not remain well as the Committee strikes the school in an attempt to kidnap Tom. At the same time, they are attacking Devonbury Academy in Switzerland, the Committee hits numerous Resistance operations, computer systems, safe houses, and more. The Resistance is left attempting to keep their men and women safe. 

We follow the main characters in the third book as they travel from safe house to safe house in Italy, attempting to find the second Britfield Codex and Tom's parents. They are also trying to reconnect, but a team of assassins and others in the Committee are making that near impossible. The Committee is no longer afraid to operate in the open to some extent, as they are using the police for blockades throughout all of Italy. 

What Places Do We See? 

There are many famous locations shared in Britfield & The Return of the Prince. This leaves homeschool parents with the opportunity to dig deeper into European history, especially that of Italy and the Roman Empire. 

Some of the cities and locations you can study include: 

• Lake Como
• Genoa 
• Pisa
• Florence 
• Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo 
• Rome
• Colosseum
• The Forum 

What Art Is Mentioned? 

As many of the famous locations and art pieces are merely mentioned in the story, you could spend time studying them in greater detail with your children. A few of the artworks mentioned include: 

• Rogier van Der Weyden's Lamentation of Christ 
• Michelangelo's The Holy Family 
• Leonardo da Vinci's Adoration of the Magi 

My Thoughts 

I am going to be completely honest. While I read both the first two books rather quickly – being unable to put them down – I did not feel the same urge to keep reading Britfield & The Return of the Prince. With the three main groups of characters separated for the majority of the book as they ran from the Committee, the chapters jumped back and forth between scenes. And we also meet new characters - both good and bad.

I felt that, at times, the descriptions were too verbose. I did not need to read how each individual fight and skirmish took place especially since the Committee was often on the heels of the Resistance members in each chapter. Another specific example of something that seemed to bog down the speed of the action and adventure was the lengthy discussion of how Kate, the technical/computer expert, was trying to hide the various Resistance members' journeys through Italy.

While I understand that the book is not a work of Christian fiction, I felt that maybe that is what was missing. Perhaps that is why it was difficult to read through the constant struggles of Tom, Sarah, Gowerstone, Henry, and the others. If the good characters had expressed their faith in God, their belief that He would see them through, it might have been easier for me to read Britfield & The Return of the Prince. 

Even with my reservations, I do think this was a good addition to the series. Fans of the first two books will want to know what happened to Tom and Sarah. And they will definitely want to meet the new characters introduced. I would recommend parents read at least part of the book prior to handing it over to their children. There are assassins hunting Tom who will stop at nothing to get him. And if the assassins do not succeed, the Committee has no problem executing them. So, there is a lot of violence in the book.

Read my reviews of the first two books here: 

Book Club: Book Review of Britfield & The Lost Crown

Book Club: Book Review of Britfield & the Rise of the Lion

Book Club: Book Review of The God Shot by Tara-Leigh Cobble

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Over the past several years, I have enjoyed reading the Bible in a year using The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble. I was excited to have the chance to review another book by the same author. In The God Shot: 100 Snapshots of God's Character in Scripture, Cobble presents different characteristics of God through New Testament quotes.

The God Shot is a high-quality, 216-page hardcover book with a ribbon for you to track your place. After a brief one-page explanation of the book, Cobble takes readers through 100 days of New Testament quotes and examinations. Every day looks at a name or attribute of God. These "snapshots" are geared towards directing the reader to the Word of God - to Scripture.

There are 27 different names or attributes of God examined in The God Shot. We see quotes from the four Gospels, Acts, all of the letters of the New Testament, and the book of Revelation. Some quotes are explained over more than one day, while others are only explored for one day.

Just what names or attributes of God does The God Shot examine? Here are just a few: The God of Peace, The God of Love, The God Who Protects Us, and The God Who Saves.

Some of the important truths shared: 

• "Prayer is a conversation with God" (31)
• "The three persons of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Spirit - are eternally united and eternally distinct." (37)
• We are all part of God's family.
• Satan wants to mislead us.
• God equips us with the tools we need in our everyday lives.
• We are God's forever.

I would recommend The God Shot to anyone looking to dig deeper into Scripture. You do not have to be familiar with Cobble's other works to enjoy The God Shot. My only recommendation would be to include space to take notes or reflections in the book. But even without that direct space, one can take notes in the book. I really think The God Shot is a valuable resource for your Bible study.