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We recently received the first two books in The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series from WorthyKids/Ideals. The books were The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Beginning (Book #1) and The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Race to the Ark (Book #2).
A Bit More About the Books
Written by M.J. Thomas, The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls are the ideal length and difficulty for children just beginning to read chapter books. They say ages 6-9, but I’d probably lean more towards the upper end of that recommendation, perhaps even saying 8-10 based on the time-travel aspect. It might be a bit much for a younger student to try to separate fiction from reality. 😀
The main characters of The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls books are Peter and Mary. They have a dog named Hank. While their parents head to Africa, Peter, Mary, and Hank go to stay with their Great Uncle Solomon, an archaeologist. They are prepared for a month of boredom.
Much to their surprise, the time ends up being anything but boring! Some of the ancient scrolls Uncle Solomon discovered had an unbreakable seal. Solomon had been trying to investigate what they said, but he couldn’t open them.
Book 1
After the pot of sealed scrolls get knocked over by Hank, one of the seals has broken. The kids are instantly transported back in time. They get to watch God create the world, seeing each day of creation as it unfolds.
In order to get back to the present time, they have to solve the secret of the scroll. While they’re in the past, Satan, in the form of a serpent, tries to keep them from interfering with his plan of destruction. Micheal, the angel, helps protect them and also helps them solve the scroll secret.
Book 2
The second book involves another scroll. Instead of taking the kids and their dog back to the creation of the world, they travel back in time to Noah’s ark. Once again, they have to solve the secret of the scroll within seven days, or they’ll be stuck in the past.
In this book, Satan appears as the Dark Ruler. Everyone is pretty much evil except for Noah and his sons (much like the biblical account of this time period…). Micheal saves them again and they make it home just as the flood begins.
How We Used These Books
I read the books first to preview them. Now I’m working with my third grader to have him read through them. When my other children are the right age, I’ll also have them read them if they’re interested.
My Thoughts
I like the concept of biblical fiction. It allows kids to really gain interest in the events of the Bible. They also help them wonder more about what the events were like and what could have happened.
Of course, these are fictional books. The events recorded are just the author’s perspective and are not inspired by God like the actual accounts of these events in the Bible. So you need to make sure your children are old enough to separate truth from fiction.
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