The Squire and the Scroll

Just bought this, received it yesterday.
My son, 7, reallllly enjoyed this book. We have a lot of books, but he didn't really quit talking about this one. And that, in itself makes it an awesome book. For such a great moral, upstanding book, I'm incredibly happy it made such an impression on him.
On the downside though, it's REALLY LONG. REALLY. And as much dialogue as this book requires, it takes give or take 20 minutes to read just this one book.
The upside? Everything. The writing font is fun, the pictures are scary good, and the book itself stands for something that you can't find in our society. This teaches our little to men to grow up into the Godly Men we pray for every day.
From guarding your heart and eyes from the wicked to resisting temptations and following that little voice God whispers and always doing the right thing, no matter what...this is a sure investment into your child's present and future.
The girl's version is a 5+; if you have a daughter, definently buy the companion to this book.

This book came with an audio CD too, which was a pleasant surprise. It was a good read for kids and adults alike.

A book for boys by the author of The Princess and the Kiss, this one is set in a kingdom whose treasure is "The Lantern of Purest Light." When the dragon steals the lantern, the king sends his knights one by one to seek it, but they never return. Finally he sends his last and bravest knight, along with a squire to assist him. This squire brings a precious scroll, from which he had been taught by his parents and which they gave him at his departure. The knight had also been taught from a scroll, but he had left its memory in his childhood.

On their quest they meet with temptations and traps, and for each they find a way to escape them -- wool to stop their ears against discouraging voices, and a shield to guard their eyes against the allure of forbidden treasure. At each temptation the squire reads from his scroll for guidance, which he shares with the knight. In the cave of forbidden treasure, however, the knight refuses to listen to the scroll's wisdom and is taken into the dragon's power. The squire continues on alone, and by obeying the scroll's instructions he avoids additional traps. When he arrives at the dragon's lair, his scroll is transformed into a sword, with which he defeats the dragon and rescues the captured knights, finally retrieving the Lantern of Purest Light.

The book is a compelling parable about the importance of God's Word, the Bible. It tells a story of a quest worth winning, a young man proving himself in the company of his elders, and dangers on every side that seek to destroy him. He holds on to courage and moral purity only by means of the scroll, to which he submits every decision, and by which he achieves victory against great odds. This is a powerfully winning story that will influence a boy's imagination in the best possible way.

I loved this book this author has a way of presenting the Truth that holds even the adults attention. I hope to supply my grandchildren with more of her work!

Jennie Bishop tells a delightful tale about a young boy who has recently become a squire in The Squire and the Scroll. The king has sent the squire, along with a knight, on a quest to retrieve the Lantern of Purest Light, which has been stolen. Many other knights have been sent to rescue the lantern, but none have returned.

Before his journey begins, the squire's mother and father give him a copy of a scroll. It has five rules on it by which the squire and his family have patterned their lives. The knight and squire encounter many dangers and temptations on their quest for the lantern. Each time, the squire remembers a rule from the scroll and uses it to guide his path.

Although the word God is used only once in the story, this tale is appropriate for a Christian audience as the rules of the scroll are Biblical in nature. One example is: "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." This verse comes from Psalms 4:25 [NIV]. Another rule, "Listen only to words that are pure," is similar to a verse from Psalm 119:9 [NIV] that reads, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." The author cites this verse at the end of the book.

The illustrations by Preston McDaniels are vivid, life-like paintings, full of color and charm; they lend much to the tale.

What I Like: Everything, but especially the language. The writing is so smooth and lyrical it's almost like reading poetry.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: The publisher suggests 4-8 as the targeted age group, but I think that although this age group would enjoy the story, the language is more appropriate for an older audience, more like 9-12. Adults will enjoy it, too!

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review