Imagine... the Giant's Fall (The Imagine Series #4) by Matt Koceich

Title: Imagine… the Giants Fall (The Imagine Series #4)

Author: Matt Koceich

Pages: 112

Release Date: May 1, 2019

Genre: Pre-Teen

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     The last thing fifth-grader Wren Evans remembers (before the world as she knew it disappeared) is getting off the school bus to discover her house engulfed in flames. What happens next can’t be explained as Wren finds herself in a beautiful valley with a shepherd named David—in ancient Israel! 

     Imagine . . . The Giant’s Fall is the fourth release in an exciting epic adventure series for kids age 8 to 12 written by schoolteacher Matt Koceich. The Imagine series brings the Bible to life for today’s kids as they ponder what it would be like to live through a monumental biblical event.

My review:

     An unusual look at a biblical story through a child’s eyes.

     Wren is a young girl with very deep heartaches. As she is trying to figure out life in today’s world and with today’s problems she suddenly finds herself getting an eyewitness view of a story she knows from the Bible. I love the fact that she does learn some valuable lessons through it. At the same time the story seems to have a number of very weird twists that made it hard to follow and understand.

     Because of the difficulty I had following the story I have decided to give this book a rating of 4 stars.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Camp Club Girls: Bailey by Linda Carlblom

Title: Camp Club Girls: Bailey

Author: Linda Carlblom

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 1, 2019

Genre: Pre-teen Mysteries

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

GET A CLUE WITH THE CAMP CLUB GIRLS!

     Join Bailey and the Camp Club Girls as they embark on a series of clue-filled adventures and crack the case in this entertaining and action-packed 4-in-1 mystery collection.

     What’s the meaning of the mysterious messages beneath happy sheep coats at the Curly Q ranch? The Camp Club Girls are determined to uncover the close as they investigate a strange string of events. Will the girls discover the whereabouts of eccentric millionaire Marshall Gonzalez?

     Why are wild elk running amok in Estes Park? During a stay at the historic Stanley Hotel, Bailey and Kate encounter out-of-control stampedes that put the townsfolk and tourists in danger. Will the Camp Club Girls uncover the reason behind the unusual elk behavior before someone gets hurt?

     Are the rumors surrounding a valuable turquoise mine true? When Bailey and Elizabeth travel to a Native American village in New Mexico to help out a distant cousin and her children in their pottery shop during the busy tourist season, mysterious rumors begin to stir. The Camp Club Girls have their suspicions about rightful ownership of the mine, but will they be able to prove it?

     Who’s responsible for the peril at Mermaid Park? When Bailey and Sydney are invited to spend part of the summer with Bailey’s grandmother in Florida, both girls are fascinated by the local attraction—Mermaid Park. When curious and frightening events begin to take place, will the Camp Club Girls solve the mystery and save the park before time runs out?

My review:

     This is a collection of four wonderful pre-teen mysteries.

     I loved reading all of these mysteries with Bailey Chang as the central, connecting element in them. In each one she is joined by one of her friends from camp. Once they come across a mystery they bring the rest of the group in by phone to help solve it.

     I thoroughly enjoy the fact that each girl has a special interest and ability that they use to help the group out.

     The four mysteries are very different from each other and they all held my attention. One of my favorite things about these stories is the fact that the girls pray, asking God for guidance and protection.

     This delightful book is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. I am definitely recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Camp Club Girls: Elizabeth by Renae Brumbaugh Green

Title: Camp Club Girls: Elizabeth

Author: Renae Brumbaugh Green

Pages: 384

Release Date: January 1, 2019

Genre: Pre-Teen Mysteries

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

What happens when six girls end up not only in the same cabin at summer camp, but are quickly embroiled in intrigue?

     They form a super sleuth ring and call themselves the Camp Club Girls. Each girl uses her special skills--analyzing, spiritual insight, gadgetry, physical skills, research--to help the whole team stump adversaries and master the mysteries they encounter. Join the Camp Club Girls on a series of clue-filled adventures and cheer them on as they crack the case in this entertaining 4-in-1 story collection.

What's REALLY going on at Camp Discovery Lake? 
     When Alexis, Bailey, Elizabeth, Sydney, McKenzie, and Kate end up as roommates at summer camp, they soon suspect there's more going on than crafts and Bible quizzes. Will they put the puzzling pieces together before time runs out?

What's so important about a missing bag of marbles? 
     Elizabeth and McKenzie are roped into a mystery as big as Texas, when a strange man shows up in town, asking about a special tip left to a waitress thirty years ago. Will their skills be a match for this mixed-up mystery?

Is foul play to blame for the strange string of unfortunate events that threaten the River City Cruise Boat business? 
     While helping out with ministry activities at the Fiesta Noche Del Rio on the Riverwalk, Kate and Elizabeth investigate! Will the girls reveal the source of the trouble before the River City Cruise Boat business goes bust?

Who's the thief responsible for stealing a valuable Gibson guitar?
     Elizabeth and Bailey investigate the case in Music City. With only a handful of clues, will the girls be successful in turning up the missing music maker and returning the guitar to its rightful owner?

My review:

     I loved these pre-teen mysteries!

     These stories are reminiscent of the Trixie Belden books that I read multiple times growing up.

     In the first story we meet six girls ranging in age from 9 to 14 years old. As they all arrive on the first day of camp they meet each other. They immediately become friends as they settle into their cabin. They are very well developed. They each have different interests, strengths, and weaknesses.

     They are very observant and once one of them identifies a mystery they all jump in using their own skill to help solve it. Each of the mysteries is different but they are all undertaken to help someone else out.

     I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they encourage each other with scripture. They also go to God in prayer asking for guidance and protection.

     I have decided to give this book a 5 star rating. I am definitely recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*