Secret of the Prince's Tomb by Marianne Hering, Marshal Younger (Review)

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
• Series: AIO Imagination Station Books (Book 7)
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Focus on the Family (December 16, 2011)
• ISBN-13: 978-1589976733

“The Egyptians believe that whoever opens a tomb will be cursed!”

The hot sun and sand of ancient Egypt await Patrick and Beth in their next Imagination Station adventure. The cousins are caught between a terrible ruler and a nation bound for slavery. To help their new friend Tabitha, the cousins must seek out a great secret—one that will give hope to her family and future generations. Their search takes them to an ancient burial vault and . . . a mummy! But the vault is a confusing maze, filled with traps and mysterious symbols. Will the cousins ever get out again to share a life-changing hope?

My Review:

Patrick and Beth push the red button in the Imagination Station and end up in ancient Egypt. The Hebrew people are entering into slavery. The cousins make friends with the child Prince and his friend Tabitha. She is Hebrew and the Prince cannot protect her and her family anymore. Patrick and Beth feel the need to provide hope for the Hebrews. Once they say God's message the Imagination Station picked them up and returned them to home, Whit's End. This adventure had action and a good message. Recommended.

Battle for Cannibal Island by Marianne Hering, Wayne Thomas Batson (Review)

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
• Series: AIO Imagination Station Books (Book 8)
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Focus on the Family (October 1, 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1589976740

 It’s 1852 and cousins Patrick and Beth sail to Fiji on the HMS Calliope under the command of Captain James E. Home. They arrive at the islands to find that the Christian Fijians are at war with the non-Christian Fijians. Missionary James Calvert is trying to make peace and suggests that the captain allow peace negotiations on board the British vessel. Patrick and Beth learn about sacrificial living when they observe Calvert’s determination to live on Fiji despite the dangers and impoverished conditions and that he is willing to risk his life to live as Jesus would.

My Review:

 This is another action packed adventure for Patrick and Beth. The imagination station takes them to a ship that is battling cannibals. Missionary James Calvert makes an appearance. There are several twists and turns in the book. Patrick and Beth learn what it is to have sacrificial love and live for God. Recommended.

Showdown with the Shepherd Marianne Hering, Brock Eastman (Review)

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
• Grade Level: 2 and up
• Series: AIO Imagination Station Books (Book 5)
• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Focus on the Family (July 6, 2011)
• ISBN-13: 978-1589976313

The key to adventure lies within your imagination! Cousins Patrick and Beth go to the Holy Land in the tenth century BC. Their goal is to get back the ring Hugh stole and return him to 1450s England where he belongs. But troubles await them as soon as they step out of the Imagination Station. First they meet an angry bear and later an angry giant. Set against the backdrop of the David and Goliath story, the cousins learn that having a giant faith is more important than having a giant on your side.

My Review:
This was another good book in the Imagination Station series. Patrick and Beth are two children who live in the town of Whit's End. They visit an ice cream shop and the owner is an inventor. He lets the children use the imagination station machine to go on travels. It is always a lesson. This particular book the children are thrown into the story of David and Goliath. There is action, adventure, and a good story. Christian boys especially would like this one.

Challenge on the Hill of Fire Marianne Hering, Nancy I. Sanders (Review)

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
• Series: AIO Imagination Station Books (Book 10)
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Focus on the Family (December 20, 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1589976948

Kidnapped by Celtic Druids in 433, Patrick and Beth are headed to certain death when followers of a former Irish Slave (Saint Patrick, called Patritius in this book) save them. The cousins find themselves in the midst of a power struggle between Ireland’s King Logaire, Patritius, and the leader of the Druids, Lochru. A spiritual showdown begins on the Hill of Slane when Patritius builds a fire, challenging the King’s authority. Will Patritius prove to the king that the God of the Bible is the true God? Or will the king take sides with the Druids? The Emerald Isle holds many tales and legends, but this story of truth and standing strong for God is not one to be missed.


My Review:

I thought this was a good historical action adventure kids book with a spiritual twist. It is part of the Imagination Station series but this book stands alone plot wise. The focus of this book is the story of St. Patrick. Patrick and Beth are two children that live in Whit's End and take trips in the Imagination Station. There is always a lesson they learn in these books. Children will need help reading them. I actually enjoy reading this series. They are engaging and have good characters and plot. Recommended mainly for Christian families.