by Lucille Travis
This is one of the recommended books for RC History's Connecting with History Volume 1. (We're finishing volume 3 this year and then rolling right into 1 again. We study American and modern history a little differently and in another strand.)
Tirzah, a girl born under slavery in Egypt, and her family follow Moses into the desert. This familiar story of the Hebrews highlights aspects lost in the pages of Exodus...what fears parents had, how strange the commands of God, how desperate the situation time after time. As the Hebrew characters struggle with their own failures and sinfulness, some of them persevere in their trust and devotion to God.
One of the aspects of the book I appreciated was the contrition of one of the main characters as he realizes his sins. His father wisely takes the young man to Moses to ask for forgiveness (which many of us might have thought unnecessary) and Moses responds with kindness and comfort. His words are ones I hope my children would remember when they desire reconciliation.
Later, Tirzah and her brother discuss the difficulties they face in the desert: violent enemies, thirst, and hunger. Why does God not make it easier for them? Ram muses:
What I mean is, suppose he had made the whole crossing easy for us, plenty of water and meat every day, what then? We wouldn't even know what he had done for us.There are scenes of great agony and violence: Pharaoh and his armies destroyed by the Red Sea, wounded and dying Hebrew soldiers suffering at the hands of Amalekites, and rebellious Hebrews cut down at the degree of the Lord. It may be too harsh for some young readers. My ten-year-old is going to read this independently; I doubt I would read it aloud with very young children near-by.
I also loved the example of Hanna, who risks her own life to care for those who are stricken with the plague for their sinfulness and waywardness.
Now child Yahweh may punish those who do wrongly, but when a man or woman is down sick we must not add to their suffering by refusing help. Yahweh has given us herbs and plants to use for the good of all. I must use my skill wherever it is needed.I'm pleased to have this book in our library for grammar level kids to read independently (grades 4-6, though I'd be comfortable with third grade reading it if the skills are there).
The opinions in this post are my own. I have received nothing for this review, but the links above to RC History are affiliate links. The book is also available at Amazon (affiliate link), which is where I purchased it.
