The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls – Book Review

I am really excited to share today’s book review with you!

So, I have one reader and one not-quite-a-reader-yet-but-listens-to-a-lot-of-audiobooks, both of them have loved the Magic Tree House series, my daughter has read almost all of them and listened to tons on audio and my son has listened to a number of the books on audio.

If you are wondering why I am talking about the Magic Tree House when I’m reviewing a different book, here’s why: I think if your kids love the Magic Tree House books (as most kids do) they are going to love The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series.

I was sent The Beginning, book 1 in The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series by author M. J. Thomas and was asked to review it. Now, here’s what you need to know about my book reviews: I actually share what I think about the book. I don’t try to sugarcoat things or praise books I don’t really like, that’s not a helpful book review at all.

So, even though I was sent this book to review I didn’t promise to only write nice things, it just so happens this book is one I would highly recommend, but you can read the full review to decide if it’s right for you.

 

 

THE STORY

The series follows siblings Peter and Mary (plus their dog Hank), in this first book their parents have just dropped them off at their great-until Solomon’s house for a month. The kids uncover a set of ancient scrolls in a secret room and are transported back to the beginning of the world.

They spend a week watching the world and earth being created and trying to solve the secret of the scroll before the seven days are over or they will get stuck in the past forever.

Throughout the series the kids (and Hank) are transported to different key moments in biblical history.

 

WHAT I LIKED

NARNIAN – The first chapter where the kids are dropped of at great-uncle Solomon’s house feels very Narnian, it reminds me of the kids arriving at the Professors house.

HUMOR – There was some fun humor in the book, I actually laughed out loud when reading this paragraph in the first chapter:

All Peter knew was that his Great-Uncle Solomon didn’t know anything about kids. The last time they had seen him, four Christmases ago, he had given them each a new toothbrush.

CREATION IN A NEW LIGHT – I have no idea how many times I’ve read the story of creation in the Bible, many, many times, and it’s such a short section I find myself skimming through when I read it and not stopping to really think about it. This book made me pause and think about what it really would have been like at each point in creation and really brought the story to life.

 

 

EASY TO READ – At a grade 1-3 reading level these books make great first chapter books for kids.

ADOPTION – It’s just a brief mention but there is mention of Mary being adopted from China and as an adoptive mom it’s nice to see that in books.

REFERENCES – At the end of the book there is a page that lists the Bible chapters and passages the book is based off of so kids can go and read them straight from the Bible themselves.

 

WHO I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO

This book was an easy and fun read and I think it would be great for kids in grades 1-3, especially those who love Narnia or the Magic Tree House books.

I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series and hope they bring the Bible to life as much as this one did. If you’re curious, here are the other titles in the series:

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Race to the Ark, Book 2 – the trio must rush to help Noah and his family finish the ark before the coming flood.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Great Escape, Book 3 – Peter, Mary and Hank journey to ancient Egypt where they see firsthand the devastation of the plagues.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Journey to Jericho, Book 4 – they join the Israelite spies on a mission to Jericho as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Shepherd s Stone, Book 5 – they travel to Bethlehem, where they befriend a young shepherd named David and witness the epic fight between David and Goliath.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Lion’s Roar, Book 6 – This one is being released June 4th! In Peter and Mary’s sixth adventure, the Hidden Scrolls take them back to ancient Babylon, where Daniel is about to get thrown into the lions’ den.

 

If you read the books let me know what you think of them!