Matt Koceich

While on the observation deck of the Willis Tower in Chicago with her family, Bella is suddenly transported to Shinar in 2300 B.C. There she sees the Tower of Babel mid-construction and becomes caught up in a dark plot to lead the people astray.

I am not completely sure what I just read. I expected an adventure similar to Superbook or Adventures in Odyssey, but there is definitely something else going on here. The tower being built, the reasons behind it, and Bella's attempt to stop the people and explain why what they're doing is wrong is a small part of the book (which is quite short anyway). But then there are some strange and unexpected fantasy elements going on, with a boy and a woman who are sort of like her guides through this experience, while also at times seeming to not know anything outside of what they should know if they were just regular people from that time period.

Then there are a couple of chapters that are "outside" of the adventure, involving people who are never properly introduced, and it's never explained who they are or why they're involved. One of them can communicate with the "bad guy" involved in the tower building, and gives him instructions. It's clear from this that there is a whole over-arcing plot going on throughout this series, and I jumped in at book 6. My mistake, but there was nothing in the synopsis at all that would give any indication that these stories are so very connected. Out of curiosity, I have now read the first book in the series, and it was nothing like this book; no over-arcing plot line was set up either, so I can only guess it came up later in the series.

So...I had a difficult time deciding on a star rating for this book. It was like reading someone's account of a dream. I don't want to down-rate it due to being so completely lost about the series-long story, but it would have been a lot better if I'd known I was being thrust into this ongoing, apparently supernatural battle between good and evil (for as much as I could tell from those sections).

Thank you to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for providing me a copy of this book to review.… (more)

While lamenting an imminent move to another state, ten-year-old Corey is suddenly transported to Old Testament times--right before the flood of Noah's day!

I read this book (audiobook) in an attempt to make some sense of the most recent book in this series to come out (Imagine... The Tower Rising). None of the over-arcing elements in book #6 were set up in this book, or at least not definitively, so I am reviewing it as more of a stand-alone story. In regards to the way Corey was able to see his own situation in light of how Noah and his family had to trust God in much more difficult circumstances, the story is a decent book for kids.

There were some strange things that happened, though, that took literary license to a new level. One glaring discrepancy was that Noah was still on the deck of the ark after the flood had started, though the Bible said that God shut them in and then the flood began. But Noah's family was also at odds with giant men (Nephilim) and their dark leader (who knew Corey and his situation, though no explanation was given). And the animals that were there to board the ark ended up helping them as they tried to finish their task before the flood started.

As mentioned above, this series is up to 6 books, each focusing on a different Biblical account. After reading 2 of them, I don't believe I'll continue with this series, or recommend it to my 10-year-old daughter.… (more)

This is a good story for 8-12 year olds to let them experience some Biblical stories with a unique twist. Current time, Kai Wells, is being targeted by bullies, when something happens and she wakes up in Egypt with Moses, Pharaoh when the ten plagues happen.

It’s a unique take on time travel back to Biblical times and yes, there’s some liberties taken…it is fiction…but overall it’s staying close to the Bible. It made me go to my Bible and check the story out. It brings out the similarities between the bully that Kai is facing in current times, with Pharaoh.

I think young kids will enjoy the story, it’s fast paced and interesting.… (more)

This is a creative story for 8-12 year olds letting them get a glimpse of Biblical stories where the main character has been transported back in time to experience the Great Flood with Noah and his sons.

The book starts with Cory, who is 10 years old, and his parents have told him they are moving. He’s not happy. All of the sudden he wakes up in Biblical times with Noah and the Ark. He’s able to make parallels between what’s happening to him now with what is happening in his future life. He’s drawn to God.

It’s a fantasy novel and some liberties are taken with the Bible story, but it is fiction and meant to draw in the reader and keep them interested. It does that well. I bought them for our children’s section in our church library and I’m hoping some kids will come in and read them.

There are several in this Imagine series. I think young kids will enjoy reading them.… (more)