Jonathan Edwards (Christian Biographies For Young Readers) Read Free Books and Download eBooks
FINALIST at the 2015 San Diego Book Awards.Jonathan Edwards lived at a time when many people were seriously questioning long-accepted ideas about the world, life, and God, and his answers to these questions have left a mark on the way we think today. While he is often remembered as the preacher of a scary sermon about a spider dangling over a fire, he remains significant as one of the greatest thinkers America has produced. Simonetta Carr traces the events of Edwards's life from a young student interested in science to husband and father, pastor, leader of the Great Awakening, missionary, writer, and college president. Colorful illustrations, interesting facts, and a compelling story combine to introduce young readers to this important theologian and life in colonial America.
Series: Christian Biographies for Young Readers (Book 8)
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books (September 24, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160178354X
ISBN-13: 978-1601783547
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.5 x 10.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #525,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #181 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Religious #697 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Education > Adult #720 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Education > Children & Teens
Age Range: 9 - 12 years
Grade Level: 4 - 7
I have heard about the Christian Biographies for Young Readers series by Simonetta Carr for quite some time. Numerous people have recommended this as, if not the âgo-toâ, one of the best series of biographies for kids to learn from and enjoy. Her newest volume on Jonathan Edwards was my introduction to the series but if it is any example of the series as a whole I will be getting some more volumes for my kids.You really have to look through one of her books to get an idea for what it is. Trying to describe it just does not do justice. It is part storybook, part encyclopedia, part textbook. It is beautifully presented and is quite unique in style and content.The work on Edwards covers his life from birth to death. It hits the highlights of his life but also his influence. The Great Awakening, time with David Brainerd, expulsion from Northhampton, mission to the Natives and acceptance of the call to lead Princeton University are all covered with original and period-specific art-work, artifacts, photographs, a nice, succinct timeline and a neat Did You Know? section. If I had to try and explain this book I would say it is like a museum exhibit somehow translated to a book. It is quite unique and interesting.Jonathan Edwards life has been of interest to me since becoming a Christian, especially after spending some time with the work of George Marsden. I am quite pleased that Mrs. Carr has made a way for my children to share in this interest and to expose them to believers of the past. Volumes in the series include biographies of Calvin, Augustine, Lady Jane Grey, Owen, Athanasius, Anselm, and Knox.These beautiful and unique books are perfect additions to personal, church, and school libraries.*I received a review copy from the publisher through Cross Focused Reviews.
Earlier this year I reviewed the first book I read in this series, a biography of John Knox, so I am already well acquainted with the Christian biographies for young readers series by Simonetta Carr. Having said that, I was curious to see how Mrs. Carr would pull off a biography of Jonathan Edwards in a way that would hold the attention of 7-12 year olds. I love Jonathan Edwards and own many of his writings, but his story is nothing like Knox's. There are no battles, slave galleys, or confrontations with Queens in this book. So, to see how well this book works with it's intended audience, I read it to my two youngest children, Samuel, who is eight, and Hannah, who is 5. I especially wondered how Sam would respond.Sam listened intently as I read, and I think one thing that helped with that was the abundance of large colored pictures that helped visualize what we were reading. This series is a great tool for introducing children to our fathers in the faith and bringing them to life. Another feature my kids loved was the Did you know? feature at the end. When you read Sam's review, the comment on the height of Edwards' family comes from that section. It was jokingly said that "Timothy Edwards (Jonathan's father) had sixty feet of daughters" because his ten daughters were so tall. Kids love stuff like that.I love incorporating Sam's thoughts with these books, so here is Sam's review unedited and in his own words:"It was sad when most of Edwards' family died at a young age and it was crazy that most of his family was tall. I liked that Edwards' was preaching the Bible, not what was popular."There are a lot of biographical facts in this book that bring Jonathan Edwards and his family to life, and this book gives children a look into a day much different than ours, a more dangerous and primitive place, a place in desperate need of the gospel, but as you can see by what Sam wrote about Edwards' preaching, there is much more. There is solid theology throughout, and the gospel message proclaimed by Edwards is presented loudly and clearly.Mrs. Carr did an excellent job fleshing out Edwards as a man and I was touched by the love he shared with his dear wife Sarah. A particularly poignant part of this book was the story of his daughter Jerusa, who lovingly cared for missionary David Brainerd as he lay stricken with tuberculosis. How sad that four months later, this "flower of the family" herself died from fever. I was touched as I read about Edwards searing pain and grief as eight months later he still struggled to understand why this happened, but he faithfully understood that God was teaching him "how to sympathize with the afflicted." This was a side to Edwards that I didn't know. I feel that I know him much better now, he is no longer just the brilliant preacher and theologian, but an imperfect vessel bent, broken, and shaped by His God and Creator into an instrument for His glory and the edification of the Church.I could go on and on, this book held my attention throughout. I especially enjoyed the appearance of the great Whitfield and also thought Mrs. Carr's treatment of the Great Awakening was an excellent balance of historical and theological truth that was still simple enough for children to understand.In summary, this is an excellent way to introduce your children to Jonathan Edwards. Read this to them before you have them read Religious Affections or Freedom of the Will! :) Five stars!I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.
Jonathan Edwards (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) The Spirit of Revival: Discovering the Wisdom of Jonathan Edwards Best of Jonathan Edwards Sermons Jonathan Edwards: A Life The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards: American Religion and the Evangelical Tradition The Notorious Elizabeth Tuttle: Marriage, Murder, and Madness in the Family of Jonathan Edwards (North American Religions) Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography Jonathan Goes to the Doctor (Jonathan Adventures) Jonathan Park Volume IX: The Whispering Sphinx (Jonathan Park Radio Drama) (MP3) Jonathan Park: The Copper Scroll (Jonathan Park Radio Drama) Athanasius (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) World History Biographies: Gandhi: The Young Protester Who Founded a Nation (National Geographic World History Biographies) Color by Betty Edwards: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors Edwards Air Force Base (Images of Aviation) Ralph Edwards of Lonesome Lake World History Biographies: Leonardo da Vinci: The Genius Who Defined the Renaissance (National Geographic World History Biographies) World History Biographies: Mozart: The Boy Who Changed the World with His Music (National Geographic World History Biographies) Rihanna (Blue Banner Biographies) (Blue Banner Biographies) Vanessa Anne Hudgens (Blue Banner Biographies) (Blue Banner Biographies) Timbaland (Blue Banner Biographies) (Blue Banner Biographies)
