Marianne Hering

Would you like entertaining but wholesome reading material for young people? This book and series are for you! Cousins Patrick and Beth are traveling back in time for another new adventure via the Imagination Station. Can they help their new friend, Elijah, escape the threats of an evil king and queen? Will they once again be witnesses to God's power and protection?

Danger, adventure, and many characters, places, and events mentioned in the Old Testament are all included in this exciting and show more well-written story by Marianne Hering and Marshal Younger. Drought, Wind, and Fire targets children aged 7-12, and even with a few attention-grabbing illustrations, it is written as a chapter book. Believe me, this is a big draw for beginning readers who are constantly encouraged by their teachers to read books that aren't just picture books!

Drought, Wind, and Fire is filled with clean action and the biblical values that are so important to parents and grandparents. I recommend it as a perfect gift for birthdays or Christmas, along with the other titles in this best-selling series that's sold over 1 million copies!

I received a review copy from the publisher via FrontGate Women's Blogger Network. There was no obligation for a positive review. show less

Do you have a 7-9 year old? Then here is an adventure they will enjoy. Captured on the High Seas is an Imagination Station story about cousins Patrick and Beth. Mr. Whittaker, owner of Whit's End and inventor of the Imagination Station, sent the children to Massachusetts to meet Paul Revere. But on their way back to Whit's End, a musket ball damaged the time machine and they were accidentally sent to a ship. It looked as if they were still in the Revolutionary War era.

Patrick and Beth met show more James on the ship. He showed them around and then put them to work. Patrick became a powder monkey like James while Beth assisted the cook in the galley. Just as they were adjusting to their new duties, their ship was attacked and captured by a British war ship. The young people experienced many hardships and adventures before the Imagination Station picked them up again.

This book is perfect for high interest, young reading level readers. It is a chapter book that is at about second or third grade reading level. Chapters average three to four pages each, and sentence structure has an average of 6-8 words. Younger children would love being read to, since the action is virtually non-stop.

History comes alive in this book and series; some readers may be interested to learn that the James Forten Patrick and Beth meet was a real person. Some of the events he lived through mentioned in this book really happened to him, even his imprisonment on a modified ship docked in the harbor.

All throughout the book, good character qualities are demonstrated and lived out, not preached about. For example, when James is given an opportunity to escape by hiding in the officer's trunk, he sacrificed his chance by urging a young child suffering from scurvy to take his place. I highly recommend this book for children who love reading about adventures, especially ones that really happened.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. through their Blog Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” show less

(3.5 / 5)

After cousins Beth and Patrick have an argument about loyalty and betrayal, Whit sends them on an adventure in the Imagination Station. They arrive in 1521 and become part of Magellan's expedition to circumnavigate the globe for a few days and along the way learn a little something about loyalty and betrayal.

I like the idea of the Imagination Station so much more when it's more like a holodeck adventure. Since it's apparently meant to be actual time travel in this series, some of show more the things that happen are just a bit too unbelievable to me. Still, I like the way it brings moments of history to life for young readers, and this one was no exception. Some of the details shared by Beth (who may know more than makes sense for her age, even after having just done a report about one of Magellan's ships) were interesting to learn about.

The time travel aspect and historical characters aside, the actual characters of Beth and Patrick took a hit in this story, in my opinion. While it certainly makes sense that they wouldn't be perfect kids and would even sometimes get into fights with each other, Beth did not know when to keep her mouth shut, and Patrick was just a little jerk at times. Overall, though, it's a fun look at historical accounts, written for kids, from a Christian viewpoint.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers/Focus on the Family for providing me a copy of this book to review. show less

Interesting chapter book for young readers, with some history, time travel and faith. Not bad for kids transitioning to chapter books, but older kids and adults will probably be unsatisfied.