My favorite thing to do is to read. With my four children who range in age from 1 year to 11 years, I strive to do as much reading aloud with them as possible. We recently learned of Lamplighter Publishing, which is quickly becoming a favorite of ours, and are every one of us, enjoying stories that are full of virtue and Biblical character and inspiration.  The Captive is one of those stories we recently enjoyed.

The quality and design of the book itself is truly beautiful. The cover is quite durable and the pages within are quite sturdy too. This is such a wonderful book to have as a part of our home library.

This book begins with a precious reminder that while God allows bad things to happen to good people, there is always a greater purpose to these events. Man may do something for evil but God shall always intend it for good.

Having recently lost a dear Aunt to cancer, my children have wondered at times why God would allow someone who so clearly strives to love and life for Him, to suffer as she did for so long. This story was a wonderful way for my children to learn and understand the difference between temporary and eternal perspective and value.

This is the story of Anselmo, a young boy who is kidnapped by pirates and sold in a foreign land. Yet through all of the downfall and tragedy, we see the hand of God in this boy’s life. My oldest son was reminded of the story of Joseph, in the Bible.

Anselmo has inspired us all to be strive to be faithful to the Lord always. He also reminds us of the value that comes from knowing God for ourselves and being sensitive to His spirit. This story is full of action and adventure; definitely one that any young boy would thoroughly enjoy. I know my boys didn’t want to put this one down and once or twice I found them peeking ahead to see what happened next. The only complaint my boys had was that the end left them wondering what happened to Anselmo -- Does he ever see his mother and father again?  And where did he end up?

This young man is an excellent role model for our children in what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. No matter what came his way, he trusted in God and he gave glory to God.

We all loved this read and I pray it has inspired my children as it has myself, to strive to see God’s hand in all things and to praise Him for all things. No matter what we may see, may we trust in eternity.

-Product review by Jennifer King, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, May, 2017