Continuing Adventures of Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by MJ Thomas
We’ve been experiencing more familiar Bible stories in a new light with The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by MJ Thomas. This was made possible with copies of the 3rd and 4th books from WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group for review as part of the Homeschool Review Crew.
I am so thankful to have readers in the house. Yes, the boys still like video games. But, they can also be found reading.
About The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls
For this review, we were sent the next two books in this series geared towards emerging readers (ages 6 to 9.) The series was born when author M.J. Thomas found that there is a lack of books that teach kids about the Bible in a fun manner. The series strives to be biblically accurate while having kids engage their imaginations.
Read our thoughts about the first 2 books.
The series has siblings Peter (age 9) and Mary (age 10) set of on grand adventures from the Bible with their dog, Hank, accompanying them. The adventures all start with a Roar from their Great Uncle Solomon’s library. From a clay pot, they select a scroll which determines when and where they will travel. And they can only return home after solving the secret of the scroll.
The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Great Escape (Book #3)
At the start of the story, Peter and Mary discover another artifact in their Great Uncle’s collection: a sarcophagus. Peter is amazed at how much Mary knows about mummies.
Within minutes, they hear the roar that takes them to ancient Egypt.
Here they meet a young girl, Shephera. She invites them to her home where they discover she is Pharoah’s daughter.
But, that is not the first thing they learn. At the palace, they meet Hebrew slaves and witness Moses confronting Pharoah to let his people go. Thus begins a great adventure as they struggle to solve the scroll’s secret to return home.
The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Journey to Jericho (Book #4)
Just a few days after their last adventures to ancient Egypt, the siblings are itching for a new adventure. Snooping around their Great Uncle’s place, they find a hidden door which opens into a room with old gadgets and a briefcase. They soon discover that their Great Uncle was a spy!
The spy theme carries over into their new adventure with the hiddle scrolls. This time, they are transported to the desert when the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land.
First, they are found having wandered into the Tabernacle and are accused of being spies. But, Joshua notices how familiar they are and are no longer under suspicion once Mary writes the name for God in the sand. Eventually, Peter and Mary end up joining a secret spy mission to Jericho and then march around the city with the Israelites all while working to solve the secret messages of the scroll.
Our Thoughts on The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls
Like the first ones we reviewed last year, these are fun adventure stories that pull from the Bible for inspiration. They are short chapter books which make a great option for beginning readers.
My only fear is that my 9-year-old is starting to outgrow these stories before I am ready for it!
Unlike the last time, we made our way through the two books as read-alouds. This mama is not sad for more snuggle up time with her youngest, especially in winter.
What we are doing now that he is older is to pull out the Bible and read the associated Scriptures. I see that as the main goal of The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series: leading children to God and whetting their appetite to read the Bible. At the end of each book, they list the Scriptures used in the formation of the story.
Do you and your family enjoy stories with a Biblical connection?
Would this particular series be appealing to someone in your family?
Don’t just take my word for how we found this to be. Visit WorthyKids review post on the Homeschool Review Crew website to see what other homeschooling parents thought about this book.
