PietPrins:

197      Anak the Eskimo Boy, Prins, P.   $6.30   $5.67

         Far north, where the sun shines only part of the year, Anak and his family live with the rest of their Eskimo tribe near the Coronation Gulf. Anak experiences both adventure and danger as he learns how to hunt seals, caribou, and walruses; travels to the land of white man; faces the threat of a bear attack; and accidentally drifts off to sea on an ice floe. As Anak confronts the challenges of Eskimo life, he learns important lessons about responsibility and dependence on God. For readers 8 years old and up.

211        Curse of Urumbu, Prins, P.  $7.50   $6.75

         Adventure story set in Outback Australia: Jack (orig. from the Netherlands) is pursued through the desert by Aborigines after he kills a wallaby, thereby breaking tribal law, incurring a death sentence.

          Kevin Robbins is an orphan who has trouble adjusting to his Christian foster home. He cannot understand his foster mom and dad, and he is certain that they do not understand him, and now regret giving him a home. Kevin decides his only option is to run away from the family he dislikes, and the God he wants nothing to do with. It is only after being wanted by the police, and nearly dying himself, that Kevin discovers God’s faithfulness and His love towards His children.

       Having shaken “the curse of Urumbu,” Jack and his dog Sheltie return to the old country. Injured in a traffic accident, Jack is laid up in a Genoa hospital. Sheltie goes on ahead to Rotterdam where he promptly gets lost. The book gives a fascinating look at the “psychology” of a dog trying to avoid capture as he hunts doggedly for his master. Shelties’ scrapes with death make this a real nail-biter!

330      When the Morning Came, Prins, P., Struggle #1  $9.90   $8.91

        In the Netherlands in the late sixteenth century, during the persecution of Reformed Christians, twelve-year-old Martin is separated from his parents and falls under the protection of a peddler secretly distributing Reformed books.

      After fleeing to Germany with his parents in 1568 because of the persecution of Dutch Protestants, Martin Meulenberg joins the army of Count Lodewyk in his fight to defeat the Spanish forces that control his homeland. 11-14 year olds will learn history from this account which was translated from the Dutch, with a strong emphasis on Scripture.

        This book continues the story of the Meulenberg family, who have fled persecution in the Netherlands by the Spanish, and are now living as refugees in northwest Germany. Young Martin obtains permission to join the Sea Beggars (a famous Dutch ragtag fleet manned by men on the run from the Spanish occupation) and is part of a very bold plan to drive the occupiers from a coastal town which happens to be Martin's former home. Following the victorious invasion, Martin visits his family's abandoned farm, which is now under new ownership by a disliked and ruthless man known to spy out adherents of the "new" faith. What now?

          Spanish General Valdez had cordoned Leiden off with his troops. Rather than attack the city, he used a different tactic to do the work for him: starvation. When the food rations ran out, black death wreaked death and sickness upon Leiden’s people. Among them was Elisabeth Govaerts, who found it increasingly difficult to provide meals for her father and her brother. Things looked up when her friend Martin Meulenberg managed to slip through the Spanish lines to bring food. However, with the cause of the Sea Beggars pressing him, Martin returned to his base with reports of people starving of hunger. When would the hoped-for rescue by the Prince of Orange come? With the dykes cut, why was the water not rising and why were the Sea Beggars not coming?

       Wambu is a young aborigine whose family is part of a small and slowly shrinking tribe ruled by a witch doctor.

         Hunted by foes, tormented by spirits, and plagued by malaria, Wambu stumbles back to his old village in an effort to reach the white man.

          Wambu learns more about Jesus, but the mystery and magic of the old tradition of witchcraft die hard in the boy’s heart.

          A windmill standing guard over Dutch polders; the miller's family wrestling with death and treachery; innocent children playing adult games of secrecy and intrigue; hapless refugees hounded by a merciless predator; the men of the Resistance, alert and dedicated...often to the death. Against them, the Hun and his Nazi-sympathizers.

        Set in the time before D-Day in World War II, this is the story of Jan Blankers and his family. Jan’s father receives a letter from Germany telling him that he must go to Germany to work for the Nazi war effort. Because he is a Christian, he and a group of other men who are in the same situation flee to a swamp owned by farmer Kooiman. Young Jan and two of his friends are responsible for rowing a skiff through a complicated watery maze to supply the men with food. The men hiding in the swamp are also joined by two injured English airmen whose plane goes down near the farmhouse.

         Desperate, sensing defeat, the Nazis resort to crippling reprisals against civilians, sustained surveillance and counterespionage. Then comes the Battle of Arnhem. Panic-stricken, the Germans redouble their efforts to stamp out local resistance. A "double agent" discovers the hideout in the swamp. Tense, anxious moments follow. Will he succeed in betraying the refugees to the hated, dreaded Secret Police. . .?

        The Netherlands is under the dark cloud of Nazi occupation. Everyone is living in constant fear; no one knows where the Gestapo will strike next. Suddenly Blankers is arrested by the dreaded secret police and imprisoned, facing torture and even death. Can the Partisans rescue him in time? Will the remnant that remains struggling against Hitler's oppression be ready to welcome the Allied liberators?

        The winter of 1944 was the worst winter under German occupation in the Netherlands. Yet the people of the Resistance still had lots of work to do. Jan, Kris and Jaap discover a terrible German plot and everything goes wrong shortly before the liberation. Will the boys ever see their dads again?

        Scout's seventh adventure reacquaints us with his three friends and introduces some new characters. One is Uncle Bob, long absent in North America but now back in the old country where he and his wife settle into a small castle! Naturally Tom and his friends, including Scout, are invited to spend the summer holidays at Uncle Bob's intriguing house. Actually, the invitation is more like a challenge: Uncle Bob pretends to have a low opinion of "modern youth;" he thinks they're soft and over-pampered. To prove him wrong, Tom and his friends decide to travel on foot. But on the journey, little goes right: disasters dog their footsteps and danger is their constant companion . . . Their arrival marks both victory and defeat . . .

       When Tom and his friends Bert and Carl set out on an adventure over spring vacation, they are only looking for a good time. But soon a series of baffling events draws them inexorably into another mystery. What connection is there between a dangerous poacher, a police cap on top of a tower, a host of unsolved burglaries, and a mysterious fire? Is the fearsome character who walks on the swamp the ghost of the legendary Flying Phantom? Or is it something or someone else?

       Tom and Scout are on vacation with Tom's two best friends, Carl and Bert, and his sisters, Ina and Miriam. On their rambles through the woods, the group of young people are stopped one day by the customs officials. They are accused of being in league with a gang of criminals who are smuggling goods across the nearby German border. Scout's reputation as a tracking dog has preceded him, and soon the young people are helping both the police and the customs officials. The mystery of the haunted castle, a coded message hidden under a tree, a gang of smugglers that can vanish at will, a burglary without clues - they all come together when Tom and Scout tumble over a four-hundred-year-old secret. Suddenly, however, Tom is no longer looking for adventure but fighting for his very life.

       Tom, Carl and Bert are spending the summer on the farm. One day they run into a large, surly man with a black monster of a dog. Scout and the black dog are enemies at first sight. The man arouses the boys' suspicions at once. He is no ordinary vacationer. When Scout pulls a boy from the river, the boys make a friend. From the boy’s mother they hear a story about the abandoned mill and a missing treasure. The story draws them into an adventure that sets the boys on a collision course with the dangerous man and his equally dangerous dog. Trying to play the master detective, Tom leads his friends into a desperate situation. Can they stop Scout from clashing with the powerful black dog as he rushes to their aid? After all their hard work, will the boys lose the treasure after all? Worse yet, will the crook decide to kill the only witnesses to his crime?

       While Tom and his two friends are making plans for a vacation, Carl's father announces that he has acquired a sailboat. The three boys see the chance for a very unusual holiday. Their peaceful sailing trip is sabotaged when they run into a gang of notorious carnival followers who put on sidewalk shows as cover for more profitable sidelines. After a confrontation with the gang, the three sailors and Scout find themselves in trouble with the police. Their attempt to clear themselves leads to a wild chase through rivers, canals, and lakes, when at last the boys come face to face with the gang and its ruthless leader, they are stranded on an island in the middle of an isolated lake.

        When Tom names his German shepherd puppy Scout, little does he know how aptly he has named him. Although the dog's tracking ability gets him and his master into serious trouble, it also saves Tom's life. Tom finds himself caught up in events of World War Two, and is forced to call on the courage and talents of his clever dog again and again. As the allied forces approach his home town, Tom and his friend overhear German military secrets. The secret trail through the swamp puts Scout's talents and Tom's courage and endurance to the ultimate test.

       When they are invited to spend a few weeks with Uncle Arnie at the seashore, little do Tom, Carl, and Bert realize that they will be staying in the hunting lodge of a medieval castle. Uncle Arnie is quite a storyteller. Soon the boys find their imaginations filled with ghosts from Rodensteyn Castle, a castle long ago buried under the sand. But do ghosts leave tracks, tracks that Scout follows into the sea? Are the legends of the ghost of Sir Isobald and the treasure of Rodensteyn Castle true? Is it a ghost that Tom spots in the dunes at night? Can Scout's nose, no matter how keen, help the boys solve a mystery over 400 years old? Past and present, fact and fiction merge as Tom and his friends search for a treasure that has outlasted the Ages.

        In this story we follow four boys who are out of school for the summer as they travel around the Netherlands in a horse drawn carriage. From the beginning of the trip we see how the boys solve the various problems that they encounter; also we see how God provides, and cares for those who call upon Him. Numerous times the boys come into some mishap or the road is not quite what they expected it would be, and yet the boys always manage to get through. They encounter three main types of people, the Christian, the person who is indifferent, and the person who takes advantage of Christians. 

       The detective work of Paul, Roger, Herb and Eddie leads to a desperate cross-country chase to rescue their old friend Skippy from the three-fingered villain.

        hard cover edition

VandeHulst:

201   Black Phantom of Ravenhurst, Vandehulst, W.  $5.66   $5.09

        Was the driver of the cart really asleep or was he only pretending? Why did farmer Thune shiver in his bed at night? And what about that groaning wail that howled across the fields when the moon rose above the forest? How could that black figure vanish from the mill without leaving tracks in the snow?

        Children must learn thoughtfulness and compassion at least partly by walking in someone else’s shoes. The book provides this vicarious experience for them.

        A story of friendship and love during WWI, when the Netherlands sheltered numerous Belgian refugees. “The poetic tone, the well-crafted characterization, and the touching events treated within a Christian framework make this book well worth the reading.” ~Christian Home and School.

Other Good Writers:

        This book contains wonderful photographs and descriptions of over 80 animals mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, each with quotations from the Bible.

         A shopkeeper has two pets — a big goose, and a little white duck who can only quack very softly. A big boy wants to buy them for his mother, and because of a misconception that it was to be a present for him, his grandfather helps the big boy buy them. The grandfather is determined to eat the goose, but will the goose be able to prove himself useful before it’s too late?

361       Chronicles of Narnia,  boxed set, Lewis, C. S.  $45.00  $40.50

         Between the lamppost and Cair Paravel on the Western Sea lies Narnia, a mystical land where animals hold the power of speech...woodland fauns conspire with men...dark forces, bent on conquest, gather at the world's rim to wage war against the realm's rightful king...and the Great Lion Aslan is the only hope. Into this enchanted world comes a group of unlikely travelers. These ordinary boys and girls, when faced with peril, learn extraordinary lessons in courage, self-sacrifice, friendship and honor. Here are all seven of The Chronicles of Narnia books that have enchanted millions around the world.

212          Dangerous Journey, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress  Hunkin, O.  $22.00  $19.80  *

            ~retold in modern language for ages 7 & up, 

          A beautifully produced, large-format version of Bunyan's classic. This religious allegory makes a rousing adventure story, an interesting historical commentary and an amusing satire on church and society. Rhythmic and stately, the prose is appropriate to the original without being obscure, and it reads aloud well. The multiple levels make it useful for a variety of ages.

         A boy named Dirk lives in the town of Weirom. One day, an English ship wrecks and Dirk saves a dog, whom he names Bello. Bello then belongs to him by the right of the sea. But how will he and his family afford to feed the enormous dog? And will the English come and claim the saved timbers of their ship — and Bello?

        When ice finally came to the ditches and canals, Moonta was afire with enthusiasm, not only to learn how to skate, but to let his skates lead him to adventure. And when he heard of something called the New Church’s Pipe, he was determined to find it at any risk.

        One of the best things in Grandpa's shop is an old chest filled with small wood carvings. Each represents a Bible story, and they all fit together---just like God's Word! A terrific way to teach your 9- to 12-year-olds about the big picture of Scripture and God's plan of redemption for his people.

        Published in 1865 and received more reviews than any other children's book that year. A beloved childhood favorite for a century and a half, today it continues to delight countless readers with its story of a virtuous family who inspires us all to have the courage to pursue our dreams.

        Bert, a twelve-year-old Christian boy living in Holland during the Nazi occupation, rescues an American navigator and becomes involved with the Resistance.

        A quest story filled with drama, excitement, and adventure. On his journey of a lifetime to the City of Gold, a young man named Christian meets an extraordinary cast of characters, including the terrible giant, Despair, and the monster, Apollyon. Together with Hopeful, his steadfast companion, Christian survives snipers and mantraps, the Great Bog, Vanity Fair, Lucre Hill, and Castle Doubting. But will he find the courage to cross the final river to the City of Gold?

1449   Little Pilgrim's Progress,  Taylor, Helen    $7.99   $7.19

          This is an early reader version of the favorite classic simplified for young readers ages 6-12.   It is an exciting adventure as well as a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life.

        This book is a brief biography of Martin Luther for small children, ages 4-7. It is written in simple English, and there are plenty of black-and-white illustrations.

1871  Marvels of Creation Birds, Davis, B & K  $12.99   $11.69 *

         Learn of the magnificent abilities God has given birds! Written from a strong creationist standpoint, every bird has its special design feature highlighted in both the main text, and in a "fact box" on the bottom of each page. Each bird has a full page photo, and information regarding its height, length, lifespan and more. In the back, an entire section tells of the bird's body and how their intricate design can only lead one to assume a creator.

         Learn of the magnificent abilities God has given mammals! Written from a strong creationist standpoint, every animal has its design features highlighted in both the main text, and in a "fact box" on the bottom of each page. Each mammal has a full page photo, and information regarding its height, length, lifespan, indicators of special design, and more. In the back, an appendix shows selected sketches and sizes of footprints. A glossary is also included.

         Learn of the magnificent abilities God has given these sea creatures! Written from a strong creationist standpoint, every animal has its features highlighted in both the main text, and in a "fact box" on the bottom of each page. Each sea creature has a full page photo, and information regarding its height, length, lifespan, indicators of special design, and more. In the back, an entire section shows a fish's anatomy, and how their intricate design can only lead one to assume a creator.

        The journey continues, as Pilgrim's wife, Christiana, disregards the ridicule of her neighbors and follows in her husband's footsteps toward the Celestial City. Accompanied by her four sons and Mercy, a young neighbor, Christiana is in for an adventure. Travel with them as they gather wisdom and confront internal and external dangers along their path of faith. They meet up with Great Heart, a noble warrior with the Sword of the Spirit, as he defeats the deceitful Giant, Grim, and his pair of fierce lions. The insight of the Interpreter comforts them when he explains that God sees not the faults of the sinner, but the perfect likeness of His Son, in whom the pilgrims believe. Travel with Christiana and her little troupe as they encounter Vanity Fair, the Enchanted Forest, and the Great Chasm, experiencing perils and triumphs on their quest of faith for the Celestial City.

       Dirk, a boy of a Dutch island, dreams of going to sea as his father, a merchant mariner, has done before him. When he finishes grade school, Dirk signs on as bottle washer aboard the Sea Dog, his uncle’s tugboat. Finding the job not to his liking, especially when everyone teases him unmercifully, he wonders whether he’s made the right choice.

        Until the day his father returns to their cabin in the Maine wilderness, twelve-year-old Matt must try to survive on his own. Although Matt is brave, he's not prepared for an attack by swarming bees, and he's astonished when he's rescued by an Indian chief and his grandson, Attean. As the boys come to know each other Attean learns to speak English while Matt becomes a skilled hunter. Though many months have passed, there's no sign of Matt's family. Then Attean asks Matt to join the Beaver tribe and move north. Should Matt abandon his hopes of ever seeing his family again and move on to a new life?

         An endearing tale of a skunk who adopts a rail tramp. The two find themselves stowed away on the same rail car with nothing to eat. Finally reaching a town, thirsty and starving, they jump from the boxcar and get separated as they are chased by the rail security guards. The rest of the story centers on their journey back to each other.

        Art was tired and afraid. Earlier, he had not thought of danger. He had set his feet and pushed with all his might. He had held his breath as water tumbled over him, shaken himself when it passed, and prepared himself for the next blow. But now he realized what they had done—they had held back the mighty waves of the sea. Suppose the barricade had broken? Suppose the water had rushed in? It would have washed all those people away. And then? In February, 1953, the dikes broke in Zeeland. This true account tells of courage, and of God's protecting care.

         The Astronomy Book soars through the solar system targeting middle-school through junior-high levels. The reader will acquire a wealth of knowledge on subjects such as supernovas, red shift, facts about planets, and much more. Enhanced with dozens of color photos and illustrations (including NASA shots), this book gives educators and students a Christian-based look at the awesomeness of the heavens.

        Colorful photos, detailed sidebars and clear text help shine a light on the mysteries of geology. Creationist author Dr. John Morris takes the reader on a tour of the earth's crust, pointing out the evidences for creation and the natural beauty of God's creation. Covering volcanoes, rocks, erosion, rivers, radiocarbon dating, the Flood, geological process and more, the reader sees the many different elements that go into interpreting the history of the earth.

         Hank and Dick, two teenagers, intercept a coded message destined for a heroin distributor doubling as a greengrocer. Caught snooping around the warehouse, they are abducted to an isolated farmhouse where they are held until “disposed of.” A fast-moving story. Ages 10 and up.

        This illustrated handbook helps you understand the weather and explains how God created the Earth to be a unique dwelling place for us. This Bible-based resource shows how tornadoes form, how to build your own weather station, how Noah's flood impacted the planet, how you can take care of the environment, and more.

          Jeanne d'Albret, born in 1528, is the only daughter of the King and Queen of Navarre. Standing with her beloved Huguenots, Jeanne steps onto the battlefield of history during the tumultuous years of the Reformation (1517-1559). As deadly political events swirl around her tiny Kingdom of Navarre, Queen Jeanne is forced to choose: Will she hide the fleeing Huguenots under the very nose of Catherine de Medicis's henchmen or save her own life?