When I found out I was going to be reviewing Foundlings by Matthew Christian Harding, I wasn’t sure what to think. I like fiction, but I’ve never really been into adventure fiction. Likewise, Stargirl, who was to be my “guinea pig” for this review, generally prefers historical fiction geared toward girls.
Still, we decided to keep an open mind as we read Foundlings. In fact, we read it after dinner every night, so Sportsguy and Bug could enjoy the fun, too!
Want to know how we liked it? Read on!
Summary of Foundlings, from Zoe and Sozo Publishing
Foundlings is an adventure/fiction book, set in the time of Peleg, shortly after the flood and the tower of Babel. It’s the first book in The Peleg Chronicles. The following summary is taken from the publisher’s website.
In its pages we meet dragons, giants, false priests, the death hunt, an under-city of the Dwarven Brotherhood, and many memorable characters.
The story begins with Lord McDougal and his faithful shield-bearer, Fergus Leatherhead, departing their lands with giants at their backs, while before them lie in wait denizens of the bog-land and forest.
Ever ready to protect and serve others, they gather in tow an assortment of displaced adventurers and find themselves embroiled in a mysterious search for the foundlings: orphaned Thiery with his companion Horatio the white wolf, and Suzie who has been deceitfully retained by the thieves Elvodug and Flemup.
Others also seek the foundlings, and their purposes are most sinister – Dragon Priests who practice cozen sacrifices, and their leader Count Rosencross who is torn by his God given conscience and his pursuit of personal glory.
Onward toward the city of Hradcanny they travel, meeting with treachery, beast attacks, camaraderie and psalms of praise with an eye toward the gospel. Though their battles are at times fierce and the outcomes uncertain, the author maintains the integrity of these noble characters, who through weakness are made strong by Him in whom they trust.
Foundlings weaves together the Biblical principles of chivalry, truth, courage, duty, faith and love within the framework of Genesis, and a bold adherence to its historicity. It’s an exciting page turner that leaves you wanting more, but more importantly it leaves the reader with Godly heroes to think on and emulate, and a young earth creationist view of history that conforms to the Word of God.
Foundlings is geared toward children ages 10 or 12 and up, and it’s an enjoyable story for adults, too. Younger children might enjoy it as a read aloud, though the author doesn’t recommend the book for ages younger than 7.
Our Experience Reading Foundlings
As I mentioned earlier, we decided to read Foundlings together as a family. The books begins with a lot of action, which was fun for Sportsguy and Bug. As we went on, Sportsguy, Stargirl, and I really liked the story, but Bug had a hard time understanding what was going on. That’s to be expected, as he is only 7.
When I asked Stargirl what she thought of the book, she said she liked it, because God was always glorified, the story was interesting, and it showed her what life might have been like in the days following the flood.
As a mom, I liked that there is no magic, no evolution, and no humanism (as stated on the back cover of the book). It gives kids who have a love for fantasy-type books an option that is God glorifying. I know parents who have struggled with whether or not to allow their children to read some of the fantasy fiction out there today, and Foundlings is a book that Christian parents can comfortably let their children read.
I also loved that Foundlings fit right into our curriculum this year, as we are studying ancient history and just finished studying the Tower of Babel. We use a lot of literature in our studies, and Foundlings was a nice change of pace, while still being relevant to the time period we were focusing on.
Now that we’ve read the first book in The Peleg Chronicles, I’m sure we’ll be reading the rest of the series!
Foundlings Facts
- The Peleg Chronicles: Foundlings, Paladins, and a third book, set to be released in May 2011.
- Author: Matthew Christian Harding
- Website: www.matthewchristianharding.com
- Ages: 10-12 and up
- Type of book: Paperback
- Pages: 232
- Cost: $11.95 with Free Shipping
- Where to buy: Zoe & Sozo Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores.
- Other products by the publisher: Chronology Chart from Adam to Joseph
To see what other Crew Mates are saying, visit the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!
*Disclosure: I received a free copy of Foundlings in exchange for my honest review.
I’m stopping by from the crew. I enjoyed your review.
I’m glad you liked it, I sure did.