Beverly Cleary has become famous for her children's chapter books written for 8 to 12-year-olds. Penny Reeve is well on her way to achieving a similar accomplishment. Her Tania Abbey Adventure series is reminiscent of Cleary's works, but she adds in a most important ingredient--a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you're like me, you'll appreciate a chapter book you won't have to worry about your children reading. The author encourages children in their young faith while offering thought-provoking topics to read about.

In this first installment of the series, Tania finds herself without her best friend. She needs to raise money for an important project and wishes her best friend hadn't moved away. Another girl comes into her life, but Tania's not sure if she should accept her. As time goes on, Tania sees that this new girl isn't so bad and becomes friends with her. The new girl, Emily, gives Tania a different perspective on things. Tania also goes through her personal journey to salvation in this book! It was so wonderful to read from a child's perspective.

My oldest child isn't 8 yet, but I'm itching for her to read this! It's such a faith-affirming story. The author also broadens a child's mind by letting the reader see how easy it is to go out and really help others instead of just talking about it. Penny Reeve really wants to get the message across to children that they are not too young to be involved in society. The way Tania perseveres to accomplish her goal because she knows God wants her to is exactly what children need to hear. Even adults need to hear this!

Product review by Lyria Moore, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, May 2009