Tales of Survival

I recently finished reading Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell from the local library just as I discovered I have a personal copy in a box of children's books in the basement. *Sigh* It will be nice to have all of my books shelved and ready for students to read as I begin my first official school year.

I loved this story. Island of the Blue Dolphins is about a Native American girl who suddenly finds herself living alone on an island off the coast of California after her people leave. She struggles as she tries to find a way to survive her new life alone. In her quest to survive, she faces certain challenges that she only remembers the men of her tribe being able to overcome.

Negative Elements for Discussion
It contains some politically correct stereotypes: the white man being evil and dishonest with the Native American people. Most youngsters won't pick up on this and will simply enjoy it for the adventure that it presents. Also there is a moment or two when she refers to multiple gods, but I think it is healthy for young Christian kids to read this and recognize that it is outside the truth of God's Word.

I think there is a secret part in each one of us that enjoys the hypothetical question of 

What Would I do to Survive Alone in the Wilderness?

In reading Island of the Blue Dolphins and placing myself in the various scenarios in the story, I found that I was reflecting back upon another wonderful tale of survival. I may have mentioned Hatchet by Gary Paulsen before, but I find it to be the perfect counterpart to Island of the Blue Dolphins being that it is better suited and more relateable for boy readers while Island of the Blue Dolphins is more relateable to girl readers.

Follow your reading of Hatchet up with a reading of Brian's Winter. It is a wonderful sequel!

Other books in this series by Gary Paulsen include: The River, Brian's Return & Brian's Hunt. I love that he wrote so many about this young Brian. 

Faith Builders

As I have been trying to accomplish so many goals this summer, I find myself slowly making my way through a pile of childrens' chapter books... "Why?" You ask.
Well, people lend me books to read all the time, and when I borrow a book that is really important to someone I love, I want to read it right away. Thus, it takes me much longer to get through my personal pile because I am reading multiple borrowed books at the same time.


Today I am going to share two of my favorites that I have been lent/given in the past years that have truly impacted my faith and my life. I can guarantee these books will inspire your faith, challenge it and there may even be moments while reading them when you stop and praise God. It's always good to have a fresh faith building book.


One of my new favorites is God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew with John and Elizabeth Sherrill. This is about a missionary, during the time when Communism was taking over Europe, who smuggled Bibles to the believers in need all across the European front and even into Cuba. It is a true story which had me gripped at quite a few moments as I recognized Brother Andrew's need to rely upon Christ's amazing power to get him out of some very difficult circumstances. I appreciated this book for multiple reasons including the fact that I think I got a better picture of what Europe was like during the time of the Cold War. I love it when I'm enjoying a book, and yet I'm unaware that it's teaching me history at the same time.

Another favorite was first gifted to me on my trip to Cairo, Egypt five years ago. I had a stack of books to read on this trip, but for some reason I picked up Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose first. It didn't have a fancy cover, just the promise that I would enjoy it from a trusted friend. Looking back, I know now that the testimony of the missionary in this book was meant for my life at a time before I made some radical decisions in my own faith. I have not been able to hold onto any copies of this book since I first read it. I have lent and relent, lost and replaced and continued to replace it over the past five years. To this day, I will say it is one of the best books that I have ever read.


It is the story of a missionary woman to the Phillippines (I believe) during the mid 1900's. When World War II strikes, and Darlene is ordered back to the states, she doesn't make it in time and is carted off to a Japanese Prison Camp. They believe she is an American spy. This woman lives out her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord. There are multiple scenes in this story that brought me to my knees as I recognized the almighty power of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.