My 10 year old has become an avid reader over the past year or so, and he’s read copies of the first 4 books in The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series by M.J. Thomas. He was ready to start reading the latest offering from WorthyKids Books when they arrived in our mailbox last month to review. We received a copy of Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Shepherd’s Stone (Book 5) and Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Lion’s Roar (Book 6).
Each book is a paperback and contains several illustrations to help bring the story to life. It follows along the same style as the previous Secret of the Hidden Scrolls books, and you can see our review of Books 1 & 2, as well as Books 3 & 4. We were first introduced to the series two years ago, so my 10 year old has been reading them from the beginning and really loves to choose them for his personal reading books.
For each book, you join Mary and her brother Peter, plus their dog, Hank. They use ancient scrolls to take them back in history to actually live during the times of popular Bible stories. Book 5 (“The Shepherd’s Stone”) takes the characters to Bethlehem and they become friends with David. Yes, the David, as in David and Goliath.
Throughout the story, the siblings have to solve the secret of the scroll. My son thought this was fun, because trying to find the missing words in a hidden message is something he already enjoys doing. Spoiler alert: the scroll in this book has the message “Fear not. God is bigger than any problem!” I love the positive, Biblical foundation for the stories that M.J. Thomas has created for my young son to read.
Both of these books are 120 pages long. They are both divided into 14 chapters and have a table of contents at the beginning. At the very end of the book, both stories also contain a page which refers readers to the places in the Bible where they can read about things that occurred in the book that also really happened as noted in the Bible. For example, for Book 5, it references 1 Samuel 17 where the Bible tells the story of David facing Goliath.
Book 6 takes Peter and Mary back to Babylon. They get in trouble almost immediately with the High Priest because they refuse to bow before the idol, Marduk. They get thrown in the dungeon!
Later in the story, the children learn all about other people who refused to worship anyone but the one true God. They meet Shadrach, who tells about refusing to bow and being thrown into the fire. Then they meet Daniel, and they are around when he is thrown into the lion’s den.
This Secret of the Hidden Scrolls book was a real page turner. Kids familiar with the Bible stories will enjoy hearing it told in this relatable way, and those who haven’t will be on the edge of their seats trying to figure out how God will work out all of the details to save His people.
I would recommend this entire series to families to read aloud together. The book itself states that it is for ages 6-9 or a reading level of grades 1-3. I think students a little older than that range will still find enjoyment in the books, and younger kids will enjoy it if read to in order to help with the bigger words.
I recommend the series for parents of young and middle elementary-aged kids. What a nice, quick read for during school breaks or right before bed! These would also make an awesome Christmas or birthday present for an avid reader. Book 7 is about to be released, and my son is already asking me about it!
Worthy Kids is giving away a complete set of 7 The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls books to THREE lucky members. Not only that, but they will be signed by author M.J. Thomas. Click the picture below to be taken to the entry form. 🙂 It is being run completely by the publisher and I am in no way affiliated with choosing winners or fulfilling prize deliveries. Ends October 25, 2019.
Several other families have been enjoying The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls just like we have! Click the banner below to read some of their reviews:
