Biblical fiction genre books for younger readers is not something I have come across before, so I was intrigued to take a look at this one that is pitched at 10 to 14 year olds.
It cleverly mixes adventure and Biblical stories, bringing them to life literally for the young boy, Mateo, the hero of the story.
He is drawn in to investigate an old church, near to his home in the Nicaraguan mountains, where he discovers an ancient Bible. Guided by a very special grandmother, and the local priest, he begins a first-hand discovery of the ancient Bible stories.
This first book in the series takes him to see the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark and the Tower of Babel, each presenting him with challenges to his faith and beliefs as he discovers truths that still apply to his life today.
It is an adventure story, discovering the Word of God as it comes to life before him and as he allows God’s Word to speak into his life.
It is a clever mechanism, allowing children to ask questions like “what would it have been like to actually be there?” and “how does that story affect my life?”. The reader will gain a sense of the sights, sounds and smells of these Old Testament stories, as Mateo experiences the events first hand.
There is a cultural interest too, with the book being set in rural Nicaragua and the photos that accompany the text add additional insight and interest.
One of the purposes of this book is to create in the reader a curiosity for the Bible, it’s stories and the answers it offers. The target age group will get an introduction into thinking more creatively when reading the Bible, offering a new perspective that is more than just two-dimensional words on a page.
Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word, by Steve R Hartwig, is available here.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.
