Louise A. Vernon

Here is the story of printing the first Bible with type. Twelve-year-old Hans Dunne becomes involved in a type-stealing mystery. Hans planned to be a scribe and copy the Bible. Circumstances change his goals and he becomes an apprentice printer working for Johann Gutenberg.

Herr Fust, the village banker, tries in every way possible to get his hands on the type. Johann Gutenberg was very deeply in debt. He has borrowed from almost everyone, including Hans' father before he died. He was sure he show more could pay everyone back as soon as the Bible was printed. Herr Fust's final attempt to gain access to the presses was foiled by God answering the prayers of Gutenberg's workmen. show less

Martin Luther's son has a problem. What should young Hans Luther do when he grows up? How can he ever do anything important when he is constantly overshadowed by his famous father? Gradually he discovers who he is and how God wants him to live.

Through Hans' eyes, readers will learn to know Martin Luther not only as the great Reformer-preacher, but also as a father with a sense of humor and as a friend.

This one was a surprise--a book used in the Sonlight curriculum that's bad. I mean, it's not burn-this-book bad, but it is pretty poor waiting room material. The book is a peek at the life of John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism. The tale is told from the view of a young boy, Robert Upton, who encounters Wesley and gradually joins the movement. What makes the book so poor is bad storytelling. Wesley's life is only partially shared through narrative. there are many times when the show more action consists of Robert listening to other people chatting about some point or another that Ms. Vernon wants to share with her readers. The character of Wesley himself, a man who must have been quite a personality, is quite two-dimensional. About the best thing I can say about the book is that it's short. Do yourself a favor. If you don't have to read this one like we do, pass it by.
--J. show less

Awkward reading—the life of Luther through his son’s eyes, except the author tells rather than shows in that most of the story is his aunt or other adults telling Hans what happened before he was born.