Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Pages
112
Publication
Barbour Books (2019), 112 pages
Description
The last thing fourth-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. . .
User reviews
LibraryThing member Stardust_Fiddle
Number four in this Bible adventure series, Matt Koceich’s “Imagine: The Giant’s Fall” tackles some weighty issues. Wren Evans recently lost her mother to cancer and arrives home from school to see her house engulfed in flames. The key Bible verse for this story is Matthew 19:26: “With
Unfortunately, this book fell a bit flat for me. While I understand that this is a kids’ adventures series, I wish that it had spent more time on the Biblical aspect. The overall message about trusting God and having faith is good, but the execution is lacking. Wren definitely takes center stage, and David is just a peripheral character. He has very little role in the story, which surprised and disappointed me. Wren’s venture seems disconnected from David’s narrative, and her time in Bethlehem passes very quickly, without allowing the reader to be truly immersed in the setting. Furthermore, the spiritual warfare aspect of the tale is interesting but again does not fit well with the rest of the story. One of the central figures is a female angel, which is not Biblical, and the end of the story seems to make reference to the book of Revelation, but I was confused with some of the details, which again do not seem to line up with Scripture. Overall, this is an interesting read for young kids and pre-adolescents who enjoy exciting stories, but take note that it is not Biblically accurate.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Show More
man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” When Wren suddenly finds herself in ancient Bethlehem, this Scripture takes on new meaning. She meets a shepherd boy named David and embarks on a treacherous journey into the midst of a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, the principle fighter of which is—you guessed it—Goliath. Unfortunately, this book fell a bit flat for me. While I understand that this is a kids’ adventures series, I wish that it had spent more time on the Biblical aspect. The overall message about trusting God and having faith is good, but the execution is lacking. Wren definitely takes center stage, and David is just a peripheral character. He has very little role in the story, which surprised and disappointed me. Wren’s venture seems disconnected from David’s narrative, and her time in Bethlehem passes very quickly, without allowing the reader to be truly immersed in the setting. Furthermore, the spiritual warfare aspect of the tale is interesting but again does not fit well with the rest of the story. One of the central figures is a female angel, which is not Biblical, and the end of the story seems to make reference to the book of Revelation, but I was confused with some of the details, which again do not seem to line up with Scripture. Overall, this is an interesting read for young kids and pre-adolescents who enjoy exciting stories, but take note that it is not Biblically accurate.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member fcplcataloger
This is the fourth book of the Imagine... series and this time author Matthew Koceich focuses on the classic Bible story of the battle between shepherd boy David and a nine-foot giant named Goliath. Wren Evans is a fourth-grade student from Mulvane, Kansas and she feels overwhelmed dealing with her
I must admit that The Giant's Fall is not my favorite of these four books and I believe most of it relates to the fact that David and the battle aren't featured more. David meets Wren and there is a little interaction but I would have liked for him to have given her more advice and encouragement. I do, however, appreciate that this book often mentions Matthew 19:26. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible". Wren is obviously familiar with God's Word because she already knows the outcome of David's battle with Goliath and this makes her a good role model for young readers.
Matt Koceich has an excellent understanding of his reading audience and he is able to creatively mix fantasy and popular culture with actual events from the Bible. His use of easy to understand text and the short length of this book both make The Giant's Fall an enjoyable book for readers age 8-12; it is also refreshing that he uses both boys and girls as his main characters because young girls enjoy adventures also!
This book has mystery, action, and adventure and it also touches on some of the emotions that today's youth often experience. Wren's feelings of hopelessness are often felt by young people and her acceptance and belief that God can do anything is a message that they need to hear!
I hope that Koceich will continue to write more books for this series and I recommend The Giant's Fall to adults who are searching for good reading material for the children in their lives.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to write a review.
Show More
mother's death, the feelings that she and her father are growing apart and then, getting off the school bus to find her house on fire. As Wren runs away from her overwhelming feelings of loss she finds herself transported to the time leading up to the famous battle mentioned in 1 Samuel 17: 33-51. Suddenly Wren is witness to all of the excitement surrounding this event and she is rescued more than once by an angel named Josephine during some of the action and danger that occurred in Israel in 1020 BC.I must admit that The Giant's Fall is not my favorite of these four books and I believe most of it relates to the fact that David and the battle aren't featured more. David meets Wren and there is a little interaction but I would have liked for him to have given her more advice and encouragement. I do, however, appreciate that this book often mentions Matthew 19:26. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible". Wren is obviously familiar with God's Word because she already knows the outcome of David's battle with Goliath and this makes her a good role model for young readers.
Matt Koceich has an excellent understanding of his reading audience and he is able to creatively mix fantasy and popular culture with actual events from the Bible. His use of easy to understand text and the short length of this book both make The Giant's Fall an enjoyable book for readers age 8-12; it is also refreshing that he uses both boys and girls as his main characters because young girls enjoy adventures also!
This book has mystery, action, and adventure and it also touches on some of the emotions that today's youth often experience. Wren's feelings of hopelessness are often felt by young people and her acceptance and belief that God can do anything is a message that they need to hear!
I hope that Koceich will continue to write more books for this series and I recommend The Giant's Fall to adults who are searching for good reading material for the children in their lives.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to write a review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Virginia51
This is a great series of children’s books that are leading up to something big that is going to happen in the world. These stories help children to learn about the Bible in a fun and interesting way. I am looking forward to meeting all these children again and continuing the journey. I received
Show More
a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. Show Less
LibraryThing member HuberK
Imagine-The Giant's Fall by Matt Koceich
When a young girl, suddenly is transported from 2019 to a field near Bethlehem in the year 1020, she is amazed. People led such simpler lives back then. She is staying with David's family. She knows from her Bible and from the landmarks and people described,
This book is another in the Imagine series, a quick read for adults, but maybe a chapter book for teens and tweens. I enjoyed the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
When a young girl, suddenly is transported from 2019 to a field near Bethlehem in the year 1020, she is amazed. People led such simpler lives back then. She is staying with David's family. She knows from her Bible and from the landmarks and people described,
Show More
that David is the one who goes up against the giant Goliath. She goes out shepherding sheep that provide so much for David's family. She continues on to the field where the battle is to take place.This book is another in the Imagine series, a quick read for adults, but maybe a chapter book for teens and tweens. I enjoyed the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Show Less