Here is another review for you - this time for a read-aloud that is excellent for the entire family. Most of the books I read are either read alouds for the children, or homeschooling, inspirational discipleship books for women, so that is likely what many of my reviews will be of! Again, I had posted a briefer review at Amazon.com of this title under my maiden name, but I have added to and modified my original review. Vinegar Boy by Alberta Hawse has been asked for time and time again by our oldest daughter.

Encounter Christ Through the Dramatic Story of the Vinegar Boy By Alberta Hawse / Moody Publishers Abandoned by his parents and shunned by society, Vinegar Boy is certain he’ll be adopted once Jesus removes the ugly birthmark that scars his cheek. But when he carries the drugged vinegar to a crucifixion, Vinegar Boy finds himself face to face with the only one who can heal his face. Is there still time for a miracle?

*Start of Review*

Our family read this book together during our read aloud times, my husband, my daughter (4), infant daughter and myself. Since completing it, my daughter has often expressed a desire to re-read the book, and asks me when we will be reading it again!

A beautiful interpretation of the history and culture surrounding Christ’s sacrificial death, as a new Christian, and not knowing much about the culture and history of the time period, I found this an easy introduction to learning more about the cultural and political climate at the time.

I do have one warning, so that this doesn’t sneak up and surprise anyone…There were some interpretations of scripture that I did not agree with, such as presenting Jesus deliverance of Mary Magdalene from the 7 spirits, as being something along the lines of: Mary had so many afflictions it were ‘as though’ she had seven spirits afflicting her. Rather than literally, she was inhabited by 7 spirits. When we read Mark we can see quite literally that there are real evil spirits that Jesus is dealing with, not just health issues that ’seem’ to be like an evil spirit.   In order to avoid this doctrinal error, we thouroughly explain to our children that Mary in fact WAS afflicted by evil spirits, there is SO much scripture to support the actual existence of the demonic, that to take the supernatural out of such incidences would be to mislead them.  This is the one serious issue we had with the book, but it did provide for some interesting conversations with our children. I don’t think it is very easy to find a book that COMPLETELY agrees with all of our doctrinal beliefs (except for the Bible itself!), so we have found that we need to be a bit more flexible, and use these differences as teaching opportunities with our little ones.

The main character of the story, Vinegar Boy, exhibits a wonderful servant-heart, and continually puts others before himself throughout the story, displaying many characteristics of the Christian life, and serving as an excellent example for children and youth who will read this story.   He continually puts the needs of others ahead of his own urgent need.

There is also a deeply touching story that mirrors some of the truths of the new-birth experience of a Christian, such as the themes of love and adoption.   We also appreciated the hope that the story ends with for healing through Christ, and the caring relationships that the boy develops with other believers.  This story may not be for everyone, as it is not strictly scriptural, inserting a fictional character into the gospels as it were.  However, we do enjoy reading historical fiction together as a family, and are  careful to explain the differences between historical fiction and truth to our children.  We do find historical fiction very helpful in ‘fleshing out’ scenes with vivid cultural details and descriptions, it makes history, and even the gospels come so much more alive for our children.

Our children were very young when we read this book to them, a baby and a 4 year old, but I’m certain that it would hold the interest of up to a 12 year old at least, and could certainly be read independently from the ages of 8 and up.