Chosen Daughters

I think historical fiction is a great way for children (and adults) to learn about life in certain cultures and time periods and am really pleased to have found another series that I can recommend.  The Chosen Daughters series is written by various authors and is intended to focus in on 'ordinary' women who through God's grace were able to stand firm in difficult times. Each woman shines as an example to us of real living faith. I recently read 'Weight of a Flame: The Passion of Olympia Morata' which is about a lesser known character in Italy who lived during the time of the Reformation. I really enjoyed it. The historical detail was there but not overpowering, the fictional content was gripping but not too fanciful and the spiritual application was sound. Particularly helpful was the list of characters & details about them, plus a map & also an author's note about roughly which parts were true & which were fictional.

For anyone looking for reading material for children, I would place this between Beth Coombe Harris (easier storylines) and Deborah Alcock (more complex historically).

It was fascinating to find out a bit more about the author Simonetta Carr in this interview on the 'RedeemedReader' blog.

Lorna

'Weight of a Flame' by S Carr, published by P & R, £8.99

The Invincible Refugees

Another great historical story by Beth Coombe Harris! Set in the times of the persecution of Huguenot's in seventeenth century France, the fiction is good and interspersed with true events. It is encouraging and fascinating to know of times when Huguenots were instrumental in the conversion of their persecutors. From the conversion stories of the various characters to the simple family conversations and the careful parental guidance in spiritual and practical matters, the spiritual content is thoroughly sound and much profit can be gained from the book.

In comparison to Deborah Alcock - another great author of historical fiction - I think Beth Coombe Harris suits a slightly younger reader, the fiction is a little predictable (for an adult) and the historical information is not as detailed as Deborah Alcock. I would highly recommend Beth Coombe Harris to a young reader (10+yrs, depending on reading ability) who is interested in history. A friend has suggested that this particular book by Beth Coombe Harris is the best she wrote.

Lorna

The Invincible Refugees, by Beth Coombe Harris, published by Gospel Mission, £6.95

Beth Coombe Harris

I have been dipping into the children's section again. This time it is Beth Coombe Harris who can be blamed for the baggy eyes. 'In the Grip of the Druids' is a story of ancient Britain, a land of pagan rites, rituals and human sacrifice ruled by the Druids. The story is set in rural Devon and follows the lives of the villagers there, some of whom are converted by a travelling storyteller preaching the Gospel. In response, the Druids tighten their grip and the new converts are targetted by them to highlight to the other villagers the wrath of 'the gods' when they are rejected. This is an exciting story full of historical facts and biblical truths. Possibly slightly predictable to an adult, but equally could well be scary to a younger child, I think this is well placed in the 11+ category.

We also stock 'The Invincible Refugees' (a story of Huguenot refugees in the 17th Century) and 'Gillian's Treasure' (a story of the persecution of Protestants in Tudor England).

Having done a quick Google search on Beth Coombe Harris, I can see she is a popular author but I can't seem to find anything out about her - can anyone enlighten me?

Lorna