 |
||||||
| Home >> Book Reviews >> The Squire and the Scroll | ||||||
 |
The Squire and the Scroll Review
User Submitted The Squire and the Scroll ReviewsOctober 18, 2008 The Squire and the Scroll Jennie Bishop tells a delightful tale about a young boy who has recently become a squire in The Squire and the Scroll (make sure the title is in italics). The king has sent the squire, along with a knight, on a quest to retrieve the Lantern of Purest Light, which has been stolen. Many other knights have been sent to rescue the lantern, but none have returned. Before his journey begins, the squire's mother and father give him a copy of a scroll. It has five rules on it by which the squire and his family have patterned their lives. The knight and squire encounter many dangers and temptations on their quest for the lantern. Each time, the squire remembers a rule from the scroll and uses it to guide his path. Although the word God is used only once in the story, this tale is appropriate for a Christian audience as the rules of the scroll are Biblical in nature. One example is: "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." This verse comes from Psalms 4:25 [NIV]. Another rule, "Listen only to words that are pure," is similar to a verse from Psalm 119:9 [NIV] that reads, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." The author cites this verse at the end of the book. The illustrations by Preston McDaniels are vivid, life-like paintings, full of color and charm; they lend much to the tale. What I Like: Everything, but especially the language. The writing is so smooth and lyrical it's almost like reading poetry. What I Dislike: Nothing. Overall Rating: Excellent. Age Appeal: The publisher suggests 4-8 as the targeted age group, but I think that although this age group would enjoy the story, the language is more appropriate for an older audience, more like 9-12. Adults will enjoy it, too! Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review August 13, 2008 Wonderful!!! A beautiful portrait of purity in a story little boys and girls alike can understand and love. June 26, 2008 Not Theologically Sound While I appreciate the author's attempt to use allegory to encourage and assist parents in teaching that purity is important to their children, the author does not appear to have the theological skill of Lewis in writing allegory without unintentionally muddying the theological waters. The representation of Christ as Aslan by CS Lewis is of a different nature than the angle of the Lantern that I see in the story line. In no way did Lewis ever compromise the nature of Christ. If in some way the Lantern is representing Christ, then He certainly doesn't need our protection - it's the opposite, we require His protection. If the Lantern is representing purity, then that is not something to be served...but something that serves us. (See the quotes I have pasted below pulled directly from the book "The Squire and the Scroll"). There is quite of bit of theological muddiness here - it's not as simple as if the Lantern represented Christ...which it can't, because we cannot have Christ stolen from us if we are believers. We dod not have to rescue Christ from the Dragon's lair, for Christ put all things under His feet. He is the victor. So if the Lantern represents Christ (as in a line quote below the Lantern shows the way), then what exactly is going on here? If we are talking about the Lantern representing Purity (which can and should be guarded), we have other issues.... Christ brings peace and joy, not being good. Christ should be honored as opposed to a quality (purity - see again the quoted lines below). The Pharisees honored "being good" (legalism) and were completely missing the mark. The story also talks about *obeying* the Lantern. If the Lantern is Christ, fine, He is honored by obeying the Scroll (Bible); however, if the Lantern is not Christ, but is Purity...then we are honoring "being good," which again, is like the Pharisees. (And in the story line, the characters are rescuing the Lantern which is then to be honored and served. Hmmmm). So...is the Lantern representing Christ? If so, it's not being done as Lewis did with Aslan - instead, it becomes a idol with a tenuous hold on things that can easily be captured away (as in Old Testament idols). If it represents Purity, then is the idea of "being good brings peace and joy, shows the way, etc" the idea we want to bring across? Are we wanting to say that "acts of righteousness" will show the way? Some quotes from the story: It was this good man's charge to guard the Lantern of Purest Light, the lamp that brought peace and joy to his kingdom. His kind parents were not people of great position, but they had clean hearts and honored the Lantern of Purest Light as the people of the kingdom did. And the boy promised to honor his parents and the Lantern by living his life by the five truths in the scroll . and he honored the Lantern by obedience to the scroll in all that he did. The words of the scroll had seen him through many a temptation. But the knight did not remember the words of the scroll. "For the Lantern and the scroll!" shouted the squire, and he plunged the sword into the dragon's body. And when the travelers came to the tunnel, it was open, and the Lantern showed the way "Because of his bravery and his devotion to the Lantern and to the scroll, he will have my daughter for a wife and rule my kingdom one day. For who better would guard the Lantern of Purest Light than one with a heart kept pure?" A shout went up from the people, for they were in agreement with their king. Beyond knighting the young squire, the king instituted a new order of protectors; the Knights of the Lantern. The knight who had trained the young squire became its captain. These men dedicated themselves to the words of the scroll and to the defense of the Lantern And when the two were gifted with a son, the knight taught him from the scroll so that he would one day be ready to defend the kingdom and the Lantern. Alittle yeast leavens the whole lump. I just can't help worrying about the murkiness of this, especially when teaching impressionable children is involved. April 20, 2008 Excellent book for young boys AS a mother of 3 boys ages 2.5- 5 years old this is great book. They consistenly ask for it to be read at least twice a day. Filled with knights, dragons and a king, this keeps their interest yet gives them clear idea that being virtuous is that which should be rewarded. Great book, highly reccommend. My boys are always trying to be the squire who brings the bad dragon down. February 27, 2008 WOW what a great surprise! I bought this online hoping that it was well written and had a good point. What a pleasant surprise, it is wonderful! I love how it the book progresses without feeling like something has been left out. The Squire is tempted but yields to the scroll (God's Word), since we are scripture training from Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman, it shows how God's Word can and will help you keep your focus on what is important. What a gem! September 17, 2007 Wonderful book for young men Great book encouraging boys to be chivalrous and pure. Should be on the shelf of every young family. September 1, 2007 Great Christian adventure book I purchased this book for my 3 year old nephew. I read through it and it seems a bit old for him. The recommended age is 8 so I wasn't surprised. However I do think he will enjoy the story and his mom can explain things to him as she reads it to him. I have the "Princess and the Kiss" for my 4 year old daughter and she enjoys it very much. July 26, 2007 Great story Wonderful book about doing the right thing. Kids love the story and the pictures are beautiful and interesting. April 25, 2007 How can a young man keep his way pure? This book reminded me of the great Christian classic by Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress. Armed only with the scroll (the Word of God), this young squire must slay the dragon and rescue the lantern for his kingdom. The scroll is the light for his path, his sword to slay the dragon, and the tool to see clearly in the darkest of times. While others pursued the treasures of this world, the young squire held fast to the treasure of God's Word and was victorious in his quest. The book is based on one of my favorite verses in Scripture, Psalm 119:9, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word." Highly recommended, especially for young elementary aged boys. January 22, 2007 Excellent! A must read for all males! This is a must read for ALL males not just young boys! Oh how things might have been different for those men who struggled through their lives with the virtue of purity if they had only read a book like this one at a young age! Read this to your little boys! Women, buy it for the men in your life! Women, read it, too! And men, women, boys, (and girls) don't just read it once. Read it to help keep you on the right road, the road of purity. Parents, your children depend on you to have a pure heart. They do what you do more than do what you say. Take it from me, I'm a school counselor. I hear EVERYTHING. A pure heart (and mind) is a happy heart. This book has adventure, suspense, and romance! You won't be disappointed! For more The Squire and the Scroll reviews click here.
|
|||||
 |
|
|
||||
| Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Contact Us | ||||||
| ©2005 Book Savers, All rights reserved. | ||||||
and Preschoolers